26 August 2026

Airbus Kicks Off Wing Facility Extension with Major Investment into Belfast Site

Airbus has started construction on a 6,221 square metre extension to its Belfast wing facility, the sole global source of A220 wings, supporting a production ramp-up to 13 aircraft per month by 2028.

Four Airbus employees in high-visibility clothing and hard hats standing on the cleared construction site of the Belfast wing facility extension, with an excavator and dump truck behind them — Wing facility extension kicks off at Belfast [© Airbus]

Why this article matters
Belfast is the sole global source of A220 wings, making the site’s manufacturing capacity critical to Airbus’s plan to raise A220 production to 13 aircraft per month by 2028. The third autoclave, specialised tooling and expanded production space will increase capacity at a key point in the programme’s supply chain.

The investment also strengthens Airbus’s advanced-composites capability at the site that developed the A220 wing’s patented Resin Transfer Infusion process. Alongside the infrastructure upgrades, the intake of 40 apprentices will support the specialist skills needed to sustain future A220 wing production.

Of Interest
- Construction has started on a 6,221 square metre extension at Airbus’ Belfast wing facility.
- Completion scheduled for the first half of 2028.
- The extension will house a third autoclave alongside specialised wing tooling and cranage.
- Supports an A220 production ramp-up to 13 aircraft per month by 2028.
- Further site investment: new security gate entrance, high-voltage electrical substations, new office block, 650-space car park, new IT systems.
- Belfast is the exclusive global manufacturer of A220 wings.

Construction has started on a 6,221 square metre extension at Airbus' Belfast wing facility. The project will support the A220 production ramp-up and is part of a wider multi-million-pound site investment plan. Airbus announced the start of construction on 19 August 2026.

Scheduled for completion in the first half of 2028, the extension will expand the facility's wing manufacturing footprint and advanced composite capabilities. It will house a third autoclave alongside specialised wing tooling and cranage to support the A220 production ramp-up to 13 aircraft per month by 2028.

Alongside the extension, Airbus will continue to modernise site infrastructure with the introduction of a new security gate entrance, high-voltage electrical substations, a new office block, expanded 650-space car park and new IT systems.

"Enhancing our wing facilities is a direct investment in the future of A220 wing production here in Belfast, building the capacity required to meet the growing demand for this aircraft," said Anthony Rouse, Head of Airbus Belfast Plant and Site. Rouse said the commitment was also reflected in the company's ongoing skills development, including 40 new apprentices due to start in September 2026.

As the exclusive global manufacturer of A220 wings, Belfast is central to the A220 Programme. The site developed the patented Resin Transfer Infusion (RTI) manufacturing process used to construct the A220's advanced composite wings. This technology makes the structure approximately 10% lighter than traditional aluminium equivalents, directly reducing fuel burn and carbon emissions.