Airbus Invests in A220 Wing Production to Meet Growing Demand
Airbus is expanding its A220 wing facility in Belfast to increase production and meet the growing demand for the aircraft
Airbus has begun constructing a major extension to its A220 wing facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in preparation to almost double the production tempo of its smallest commercial aircraft. The expansion is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2028 and will support Airbus's target of producing 13 A220s per month by 2028.
## Expansion Details The 6,221-square-meter expansion will house a third autoclave, new specialized wing tooling, and additional cranage, as well as high-voltage electrical substations, a new office block, IT systems, and a larger parking lot. The extension is intended to increase wing-manufacturing capacity as A220 production rises.
The addition of a third autoclave is particularly significant, as it will enable the production of more composite wings, which are around 10% lighter than conventional aluminum equivalents. This weight saving contributes directly to the aircraft's lower fuel consumption and superior economics.
## Production Targets Airbus's target of producing 13 A220s per month by 2028 represents a reset of its earlier ambitions. The company had previously targeted 14 A220s per month in 2026 but was forced to cut this goal due to supply-chain pressures. The current target of 13 A220s per month would equal 156 aircraft annually, around 68% more than last year's deliveries.
The following table compares the production targets and actual deliveries: | Year | Target | Actual Deliveries | | --- | --- | --- | | 2025 | - | 93 | | 2026 | 12 | 44 (first half) | | 2028 | 13 | - |
## Meeting Growing Demand Demand for the A220 is increasing, with Airbus recording 1,106 orders and 532 deliveries by the end of July. The company needs to increase production to meet this demand and reduce unit costs. The expansion of the Belfast facility is a crucial step in achieving this goal.
Airbus's investment in the A220 program is essential to making the aircraft profitable. The company has stated that reaching at least 13 aircraft monthly is crucial to program profitability. With the expansion of the Belfast facility, Airbus is attempting to ensure that wings no longer stand between the A220 and the scale that the program has long promised.
