Airbus evaluates second A350 assembly line amid freighter success

Airbus is considering the addition of a second final assembly line for its A350 aircraft family due to high demand. Lars Wagner, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, stated that the current production system is fully utilized. A final decision regarding the second assembly line, including its potential location, must be made by the Airbus supervisory board. The company aims to reach a decision ‘rather sooner than later’ to allow for production on two lines by the early 2030s.

In related developments, the new A350F freighter variant completed its first flight on September 29, 2026. The flight lasted four hours and ten minutes, reaching an altitude of 25,000 feet. The A350F is designed to carry up to 111 tons of cargo with a range of 8,700 kilometers. It features Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines and boasts a main deck cargo door that Airbus describes as the ‘largest in the industry.’ As of late August 2026, the company had received 115 orders for the A350F from 14 customers.