Airbus reopens former A380 facility to boost A321neo production
The revamped site is
expected to create 480 jobs in the United Kingdom later this year, bringing
Airbus’ workforce in the surrounding area to nearly 6,500. The facility, now
described by Airbus as its “Home of Wings,” will include six wing production
jigs, an equipment line and a paint shop.
The move comes as Airbus
works through an A321neo order backlog of about 5,700 aircraft. The company is
targeting global production of 75 A320-family aircraft a month, although
supply-chain constraints have pushed the goal toward 2027.
Airbus said the first
A321neo wing is already being produced at the upgraded Broughton site, with the
new equipment expected to reach full-rate production by the end of 2026.
The company is also
expanding wing manufacturing for the A220 at its Belfast operation in Northern
Ireland.
Airbus has invested more
than USD 2 billion in its UK operations, supporting about 14,000 direct jobs
nationwide. The company’s British industrial network includes major facilities
in Broughton, Belfast, Filton and Bristol, covering manufacturing, engineering
and wing development.
