European aircraft manufacturer Airbus on Wednesday started construction on a €140-million energy efficient final assembly line factory for its new A350 Xstra Wide Body (XWB) aircraft, which would enter service in 2013.

The first stages of the final assembly for the aircraft would be done at the 74 000-m² factory, in Toulouse, in France, which would employ about 1 000 people once fully operational.

Aircraft testing and cabin equipping would then be completed in the nearby A330/340 facility, Airbus noted in a statement.

The manufacturer said this would be its most environmentally efficient assembly hall.

The concrete and foundations of an old building on the premises would be recycled and reused in the construction of the new building.

Further, an energy management system was expected to improve the energy use, as a photovoltaic roofing system would provide the factory with most of its electricity requirements.

Meanwhile, Airbus said the time from start of final assembly to aircraft delivery would be cut by 30% owing to a streamlined aircraft assembly process, which allows teams to work in parallel.

To subscribe to Engineering News's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.