Airbus sets priority on section maturity for smooth A350 XWB production ramp-up

Airbus pre Final Assembly Line (FAL) activities have started although with some delay due to the late availability of some key composite and detailed parts. The start of the FAL is now scheduled for the first quarter of 2012. Entry into service is now rescheduled to first half 2014 to ensure smooth production ramp-up capability.

"It is our top priority to reach the highest levels of part-readiness before aircraft sections enter our Final Assembly Line in Toulouse. In this context the maturity of components will be further enhanced to ensure smooth ramp up capability," said Didier Evrard, Head of the A350 XWB Programme.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus' all-new long-range product line comprising three models capable of flying between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts on flights of up to 8,500 nautical miles. Offering 25 percent better operating costs and equally less fuel burn, the A350 XWB has received to date 567 orders from 35 customers worldwide. Airbus forecasts a demand over the next 20 years for around 6,425 new twin-aisle mid-size passenger aircraft.