Europe-based global major aerospace group Airbus has formally inaugurated its latest production plant – an automated facility for the outfitting of fuselage sections for the latest variant of the company’s A320 single-aisle airliner family, the A321XLR. (XLR stands for eXtra Long Range.) The new facility is at the group’s complex in Hamburg, Germany.

“Airbus’ Hamburg site plays a significant role in the development and production of the A321XLR,” highlighted Airbus Commercial Aircraft Production Germany head André Walter. “With our new, state-of-the-art equipment installation hangar, we are now expanding our capacity to manufacture A321 fuselages and making an important contribution to supporting our [production] ramp-up. At the same time, we are reaffirming the importance of Hamburg for Airbus. The design of the building reflects the latest standards in production and sustainability.”

The new facility has fully digital systems, automated logistics and test stations, among a full array of cutting-edge technologies. The production line has eight stations, at which A321XLR rear fuselage assemblies are outfitted with a range of components, and it operates automatically in a “pulse” mode. The rear fuselages are each 24 m long, and, on the line, are fitted with all their electrical and mechanical systems, as well as windows, floor panels and external antennas, among other components.

After being outfitted with components and systems, each fuselage section is immediately and extensively tested. On completion, it is transferred to the A321 final assembly line, which is also in Hamburg.   

The new facility both supports Airbus’ ramp-up to a production rate of 75 A320-family airliners a month, by 2026, and advances the modernisation and digitalisation of the group’s industrial system. The facility contains 9 600 m² of production space and is designated H259. It is fitted, on its roof, with a 3 000 m² photovoltaic array to generate electricity, to power its production processes, with surplus power being used to help power the wider site.

“This investment in the A321XLR equipment installation hangar at the Airbus Hamburg site is an important milestone towards transitioning aviation to climate neutrality,” affirmed German Aerospace Policy federal government coordinator Anna Christmann. “This transformation is the key to making Germany a future-oriented and competitive aerospace location. I am delighted that Airbus is positioning itself as a trailblazer in sustainable aviation and that we are pulling together to accelerate progress toward climate-neutral aviation even further.”