Airbus has completed manufacturing the first horizontal stabiliser (HTP) for the A350 freighter at its plants in Spain.
The production of the A350F’s first HTP involved the Airbus plant in Cádiz, Spain, where parts of the HTP were manufactured, and Getafe, for assembly and outfitting.
This HTP will be shipped to the Airbus Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France, in the coming weeks to be joined with the fuselage of the first test aircraft.
Airbus is manufacturing two A350F aircraft for flight testing in 2026 and 2027.
The A350F HTP can be manufactured in the same production line as the passenger version, delivering operational and industrial advantages and improvements, explained Airbus.
Ricardo Rojas, president of Airbus’ commercial aircraft business in Spain, said: "The A350F will offer a clean-sheet, specifically designed solution for air freight transport, bringing more efficiency and versatility to the cargo market.
"With more than 1,400 orders for the A350, including 66 A350Fs, Spain plays a key role in this programme that presents the future in air cargo transportion."
All in all, the horizontal stabiliser, rear fuselage (section 19) and lower wing covers for both the A350 and A350F are manufactured in Spain. In addition, the A350F's main deck cargo door, the largest in the industry, will also be manufactured in Spain.
Made from composite materials, it has a 4.3 metre opening, making loading and unloading easier, faster and safer.
Airbus said the A350F will offer at least a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to cargo aircraft currently in service.
The freighter will have a range capability of up to 8,700 km with a payload of up to 111 tonnes.
In February, Airbus announced it had pushed back the entry-into-service date of the A350F to the second half of 2027, from its earlier expectation of 2026.
The first section 19, which is the aerostructure located aft of the main fuselage barrel and interfaces with the tail of the aircraft, was delivered in March.
In April, the first forward fuselage section of the aircraft was equipped with essential systems.
The company completed manufacturing the first set of A350F wings in May.
Meanwhile, Boeing, which has delayed the commerical launch of its 777-8 freighter until 2028, this week begun production on the model.
