{"id":158276,"date":"2026-09-21T20:29:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T14:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=158276"},"modified":"2026-09-21T19:59:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T14:29:22","slug":"airbus-revamps-a380-factory-for-a321-wings-production","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/21\/airbus-revamps-a380-factory-for-a321-wings-production\/","title":{"rendered":"Airbus Revamps A380 Factory for A321 Wings Production, Adds 480 New Jobs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BROUGHTON\u2014<\/strong> Airbus is investing \u00a3150 million to convert its former Airbus A380<\/a> wing production facility into a dedicated A321 wing production line at its Broughton site in North Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026 and will support the manufacturer\u2019s wider effort to increase A320 Family production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The investment will also create around 480 new jobs at Broughton during 2026, including 250 positions linked directly to the refurbished factory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new recruitment will add to Airbus\u2019 existing workforce of about 6,000 employees at the site, strengthening its manufacturing presence in Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Airbus
Photo: Airbus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A380 Factory Reworked for the A321<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The facility, known as the West Factory, opened in 2003 after Airbus<\/a> invested \u00a3350 million in the 83,500-square-metre building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was originally developed to assemble wings for the 555-seat A380, with the completed structures transported from North Wales to Toulouse for final aircraft assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A380 wing production at Broughton ended in February 2020 as Airbus prepared to conclude the superjumbo programme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final wings left the site by barge for Mostyn before continuing their journey to Toulouse, marking the end of a major chapter in the factory\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbus will now give the large manufacturing space a new role focused on its highest-volume commercial aircraft family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conversion reflects the growing need for additional wing production capacity as the company increases output of the A320 Family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: Antonio Pirro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Airbus A321 Wing Production<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once the work is completed, the refurbished facility will contain six wing production jigs, an equipping line and a paint shop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The equipment has been configured to support the A320 Family<\/a> backlog, which stands at around 7,500 aircraft<\/strong>, with approximately 70% consisting of A321 variants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Production of the first wing is already underway, while Airbus expects all six jigs to become operational by the end of the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company has also involved employees in developing the new manufacturing environment, including decisions involving ergonomics and technology integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The additional capacity is intended to support Airbus\u2019 planned global production ramp-up toward rate 75 for the A320 Family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The programme\u2019s scale makes efficient wing manufacturing at Broughton increasingly important to Airbus\u2019 broader industrial network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Emirates
Photo: Cl\u00e9ment Alloing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

480 New Broughton Jobs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 480 new positions planned for 2026 cover the wider Broughton operation, while 250 jobs will be based in the refurbished former A380 factory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They will join the site\u2019s existing 6,000-strong workforce and expand employment at one of the UK\u2019s major aerospace manufacturing locations, the Daily Post<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jerome Blandin, Head of Airbus Wing, said the investment would strengthen Airbus\u2019 industrial capacity while creating high-value employment and supporting the wider UK aerospace sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also linked the project to the company\u2019s global production ramp-up and its target of reaching rate 75.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Broughton project follows a separate multi-million-pound investment at Airbus\u2019 Belfast facility, which is intended to expand wing manufacturing and advanced composite capabilities for the A220 programme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, the investments underline Airbus\u2019 efforts to expand its UK manufacturing footprint as demand for its commercial aircraft increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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