Airbus converts former A380 wing facility to A321 line in push to rate 75
Airbus is spending over $200 million (£150 million) to convert a former A380 wing production facility in Broughton, UK, into a dedicated A321 line.
On September 21, 2026, Airbus said investment in the repurposed facility is “important for jobs, important for the region and important for our global ramp up towards rate 75”.
According to Airbus, the first wing is already underway, with all six production jigs expected to be operational by the end of the year.
The planemaker described the expansion as a “significant boost for the UK aerospace industry capability”.
seankellypix / Shutterstock.comThe facility will also include an equipping line and paint shop, “specifically designed to feed the backlog of around 7,500 A320 Family aircraft, of which around 75% are A321s”.
The manufacturer is currently looking to increase the size of its Broughton workforce with 480 new jobs in 2026, including 250 positions in the refurbished factory.
Around 6,000 staff members are currently employed in Broughton. Airbus said the new recruitment drive signals its “long-term commitment to Wales” and reinforces the UK’s position as a “critical hub in the global aerospace industry”.
“We aren’t just talking about a ramp-up; we’re putting the infrastructure in place to support it,” Jerome Blandin, Head of Airbus Wing said. “Around the world today, an A320 Family aircraft takes off or lands every two seconds, with wings designed and built in the UK. Investing in our capacity strengthens our industrial footprint, creates high value jobs that support the wider UK aerospace sector and ensures we remain competitive in the years to come.”
Commenting on the announcement, Rhys Mccarthy at the union Unite said: “Congratulations to all our members at Airbus. Unite welcomes Airbus’s £150 million investment alongside the creation of nearly 480 new jobs at Broughton”
Belfast A220 wing facility expansion
The development follows Airbus’ announcement in August 2026, that construction had started on 6,221 sq m extension at its Belfast wing facility.
Scheduled for completion in the first half of 2028, the facility will eventually support the A220 production ramp-up to 13 aircraft per month.
“Enhancing our wing facilities is a direct investment in the future of A220 wing production here in Belfast, building the capacity required to meet the growing demand for this aircraft,” Anthony Rouse, Head of Airbus Belfast Plant and Site, said.
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The post Airbus converts former A380 wing facility to A321 line in push to rate 75 appeared first on AeroTime.
Airbus is spending over $200 million (£150 million) to convert a former A380 wing production facility in Broughton,…
The post Airbus converts former A380 wing facility to A321 line in push to rate 75 appeared first on AeroTime.
