First main cargo deck door arrives at A350F final assembly line

The first complete Main Deck Cargo Door (MDCD) for the Airbus A350F has arrived on the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France.

The MCD assembly was manufactured in Illescas, Spain and is the largest in the industry with a 4.5m cut-out width and a 4.3m tall opening.

Airbus’ site at Illescas is one of the companies leading centres for manufacturing complex and large-scale composite structures and not only manufactures the skin, but fully assembles the door before it arrives on the FAL ready to fit.

The first MDCD will be integrated with the first Airbus A350F and undergo testing in the next few weeks. This aircraft is the first of two that will be used for testing and certification.

Ricardo Rojas, President of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business in Spain, said: “This milestone demonstrates Spain’s key role in the production of our commercial aircraft, including the A350F programme. Delivering the first main deck cargo door is the result of years of preparation and extensive teamwork, showcasing the deep expertise and technical maturity that Illescas plant has refined over decades in composite materials”.

Despite not being certified, the A350F has proved popular with airlines attracting over 101 orders from 14 customers.

The wings for the A350F are made in Broughton, North Wales and it is powered by Rolls-Royce XWB Engines made in Derby.