As Airbus prepares for the final assembly of the A350 Freighter (A350F), the first large parts are already taking shape at Airbus Atlantic and Airbus Aerostructures facilities in France and Germany. Teams in Toulouse are busy getting ready for assembly activities, set to begin next year.

The A350F is the third version of the A350 family. While it shares many common features with the passenger versions, the freighter has some significant differences. These include structural reinforcements, such as stronger center-wing-box floor beams, as well as changes in size, shape, and equipment.

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The A350F’s fuselage is longer than the A350-900 but shorter than the A350-1000, providing an optimal cargo space. It also has the largest main-deck cargo door ever installed on a commercial aircraft, located on the left side of the rear fuselage.

Inside, the A350F is designed to carry large volumes of cargo. The full-length cargo-loading system supports containers and pallets, and the sidewalls are reinforced with windowless linings. A special 9g cargo barrier wall is located at the front, alongside a dedicated crew rest compartment and a courier area.

To accommodate these changes, Airbus is adapting the assembly stations at the Roger Béteille A350 FAL, where the A350-900 and -1000 are currently produced. The new geometry of the A350 Freighter requires adjustments to the jigs and tools used in the assembly line.

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Additionally, the production stations are being modified to allow staff easier access to both the interior and exterior, especially around the large cargo door frame. At Station 40, where the wing assembly takes place, a new platform plug is being tested to lift the cargo-loading system and trolleys closer to the main deck entrance during assembly.

One of the standout features of the A350 Freighter is its impressive range. With a maximum takeoff weight of about 280 metric tons and a payload capacity of up to 100 metric tons, it can operate on long-haul routes efficiently. This makes it ideal for global cargo transport, compare to the a350 vs 777, this will reducing the need for frequent refueling stops.

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The A350 Freighter’s cargo hold is also designed for flexibility, with the capacity to carry up to 109 tons of cargo. It has a wide, flat floor for easy loading and unloading and offers a total volume of 1,500 cubic meters, making it suitable for pallets, containers, and oversized items.

In addition to the physical changes to the assembly stations, Airbus is also adapting the production methods. The goal is to make the transition between building freighter and passenger versions of the a350 aircraft as smooth as possible, with minimal disruption. This approach ensures that production teams will be able to efficiently switch between the two versions once serial production begins.