[Ref Flight International Magazine 28Jan-3Feb 2020]
To increase A321 production capability, Airbus is converting its A380 facilities in Toulouse to accommodate a digitally-enabled A321 final assembly line.
It will introduce production of the A321 to Toulouse for the first time – Airbus’s largest single-aisle variant is currently built in Hamburg Finkenwerder and Mobile, Alabama.
The French site was selected for reasons of “overall competitiveness”, cost of investment and time to market, says Airbus, as well as available space. The company is winding down assembly of its A380 at Toulouse, following the decision to terminate production in 2019.
Airbus’s A321neo has proven particularly popular, accounting for 3,255 orders – or 45% of all commitments for the re-engined A320neo family.