Structural assembly of the first A350 XWB aft fuselage destined for the first flying A350 XWB (MSN1) has been completed at Airbus' manufacturing site in Hamburg (Germany). The fuselage section will now undergo its secondary interior structural assembly and system installation before being delivered to the A350 XWB final assembly line in Toulouse (France).

Airbus has developed an innovative process for assembling this part of the A350 XWB fuselage which optimizes production efficiency and quality. The rear fuselage barrel is used as a guide and support for assembling the four aft fuselage panels (two lateral, one upper, one lower) and floor grid which together form the aft fuselage. This assembly method differs from other Airbus programmes where the panels and floor grid are first assembled into a full barrel, to which the rear fuselage section is subsequently joined.

Contributed by Airbus S.A.S.