First wing lower cover for Airbus A350 XWB

The Airbus Centre of Excellence for composite materials in Spain has delivered the first wing lower cover for the A350 XWB to the wing assembly site in Broughton, UK.

The first A350 XWB wing lower cover (WLC) has been transported from the Airbus composites manufacturing site in Illescas, Spain to Broughton, where it will be installed on to the wing of the first A350 XWB.

Measuring the impressive scope of this achievement, the A350 XWB WLC measures approximately 32 metres long by six metres wide, making it the biggest carbon fibre part ever produced in civil aviation.

The wing cover will be fitted into the A350 XWB wing in Broughton and afterwards will be transported to Breme, Germany, where the movable parts will be fitted. Later, the sub-assembly will go to A350 XWB Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, where it will be joined to the fuselage.

“This is a major milestone for the A350 XWB programme and for Airbus in Spain,” Rafael González-Ripoll, Head of Airbus’ Centre of Excellence Empennage & Aft -fuselage, said.

“The delivery of the first flying A350 XWB wing lower cover pays tribute to the tremendous achievements made by a highly qualified, technical team.”

The A350 XWB family consists of three long-range passenger versions, offering 270 seats (A350-800); 314 seats (A350-900); and 350 seats (A350-1000).

35 customers have ordered a total of 567 A350 XWBs to date, and the Air France-KLM Group announced plans earlier this week to sign for up to 60 A350 XWBs.