Airbus starts production of the first components of the A350
Last 29 November Airbus began manufacturing the wing lower cover for the new A350 XWB jetliner at its plant in Illescas (Toledo), the first components to be built for this aircraft which also includes involvement by various Andalusian companies.
The Minister of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Miguel Sebastián, and the Head of Airbus in Spain, Domingo Ureña, were responsible for the symbolic pressing of the button to start up the machine which makes the carbon fibre components used for the wings of the A350. The programme also involves work by other Airbus plants at Stade (Germany), Nantes (France) and Filton (United Kingdom).
The wings made at Illescas will be sent to the United Kingdom, and from there to Toulouse (France) for their assembly on the new aircraft. The Spanish centre will have an output capacity of seven aircraft per month by late 2011 and early 2012, with the flight tests also commencing in 2012.
