Airbus invests £150m in Broughton A321 wing line

The former A380 wing facility in Broughton is being converted into an A321 line with six jigs, an equipping line and a paint shop by the end of the year.

Airbus is investing £150 million to convert its former A380 wing production facility in Broughton, UK, into an A321 line. Set to be completed by the end of the year, the investment ensures Airbus’ ‘Home of Wings’ is prepared to meet future aircraft production targets.

Once completed, the facility will host six wing production jigs, an equipping line and a paint shop, specifically designed to feed the backlog of around 7,500 A320 Family aircraft, of which around 75 per cent are A321s. The first wing is already underway, with all jigs expected to be operational by the end of the year.

The manufacturing environment was designed and built with direct involvement from operators across the site. Employees fed into the ergonomics and technology integration to shape the industrial system.

Across the Broughton site, Airbus is also creating around 480 high-value jobs in 2026, including 250 positions in the refurbished factory. These roles join the 6,000-strong workforce in Broughton.

Jerome Blandin, Head of Airbus Wing, says: “We aren’t just talking about a ramp-up; we’re putting the infrastructure in place to support it. Around the world today, an A320 Family aircraft takes off or lands every two seconds, with wings designed and built in the UK.”

He adds: “This investment is important for jobs, important for the region and important for our global ramp up towards rate 75.”

The Broughton investment builds on the recently announced multi-million pound investment in Airbus’ Belfast facility, which will expand the wing manufacturing footprint and advanced composite capabilities to support A220 ramp-up.