Airbus has manufactured the first main deck cargo door for the A350F freighter at its Spanish facilities, marking a key milestone in production ramp-up. This industry-largest door, made entirely from composite materials, enables single-operation loading of oversized cargo like high-bypass engines.
The door measures 4.5 meters wide with a 4.3-meter clear opening, exceeding the Boeing 777 Freighter’s 3.7-meter width by 15 percent. Its rear fuselage location maintains aircraft balance during loading, as cargo moves forward from the aft door.
Production leverages Airbus’ Spanish plants, building on recent completion of the A350F’s first horizontal stabilizer in Getafe and Cádiz. The composite structure and electric actuation system reduce loading times to minutes for large engines, versus an hour on narrower-door aircraft.
This advancement supports the A350F’s 109-tonne payload and 4,700 nautical mile range, targeting express, general, and special cargo markets. Enhanced access positions the freighter to challenge incumbents in large-freighter operations, with flight tests slated for 2026-2027 and entry into service in late 2025.