Airbus has started building a 6,221 sq m extension at its Belfast wing facility to support higher A220 output, with the programme aimed at reaching 13 aircraft a month by 2028. The project in Belfast will expand the site’s wing-manufacturing capacity and forms part of a wider multi-million-pound investment in the Northern Ireland operation.
The new building will add advanced composite capability, a third autoclave, specialist wing tooling and additional cranage. Airbus also plans a new security entrance, high-voltage substations, a new office block, expanded parking for 650 vehicles and upgraded IT systems.
Belfast is the sole global source of A220 wings, making the site central to the jet’s industrial ramp-up. The company has also linked the investment to its skills pipeline, with 40 new apprentices due to begin in September 2026. Completion of the extension is scheduled for the first half of 2028.