28 January 2009
Innovation

The final assembly line for Airbus' A350 XWB will be as innovative and eco-efficient as the new-generation aircraft it is to build.

The L-shaped facility is to use 22,000 square metres of roof-mounted photovoltaic solar panels, generating some 55 per cent of its own power. Natural lighting will be applied in the aircraft halls wherever possible to improve working comfort, and to keep the need for artificial light sources to a minimum.

An energy management system will optimise the consumption of liquids and power according to demand, while 8,000-10,000 cubic metres of existing materials from the construction site will be recycled - including a former taxiway that currently is being broken up and crushed for reuse.

Construction work for the new A350 XWB site began this month, with the startup of aircraft final assembly planned for 2011. Located at Toulouse Blagnac Airport in southern France, it is designed for a parallel work flow capacity of more than 10 aircraft per month.

The 74,000-square metre facility joins other Airbus final assembly lines at Toulouse, where the company already builds its A380, A330/A340 and A320 Family aircraft.