Image: Romain COUPY · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Airbus expanding Belfast wing plant to boost A220 production to 13 jets per month by 2028
Airbus is investing in a 6,221-square-meter extension at its Belfast facility to increase A220 wing production capacity, targeting 13 aircraft monthly by 2028 to meet rising demand.
The gist
Airbus begins major Belfast wing plant expansion to support 13 A220s per month production goal in 2028.
Airbus has commenced construction of a significant expansion at its Airbus A220 wing manufacturing facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland, aiming to nearly double its production rate to 13 aircraft per month by 2028. The 6,221-square-meter addition to the plant is slated for completion in the first half of 2028 and represents a critical step to underpin Airbus' ambitious production targets for its smallest commercial aircraft.
The Belfast site holds a unique global role as the exclusive source of the A220’s composite wings, supplying final assembly lines in Mirabel, Canada, and Mobile, Alabama. Longstanding limitations in wing production capacity have historically constrained output rates of the A220 program, previously owned by Spirit AeroSystems, which Airbus took over in late 2025. This investment directly addresses those capacity bottlenecks by expanding wing manufacturing infrastructure.
Central to the expansion is the installation of a third autoclave, an essential large pressure vessel used to cure carbon-fiber wings through high temperature and pressure processes. Belfast pioneered the patented Resin Transfer Infusion method that makes the A220’s wings around 10% lighter than conventional aluminum structures, contributing to the airplane’s superior fuel efficiency and operational economics. The new autoclave and tooling additions will significantly raise production throughput.
Additional facility enhancements include new specialized wing tooling, increased cranage capability, high-voltage electrical substations, and an expanded parking lot accommodating 650 vehicles. Airbus will also add a new office block and upgrade IT systems to support the increased manufacturing scope. To bolster skilled labor, 40 apprentices will join the plant workforce starting this September, underlining Airbus’ commitment to Belfast’s aerospace talent.
The facility’s origins trace back to 2013 when Bombardier, the A220 program’s original developer under the CSeries name, opened the purpose-built composite wing plant following its acquisition of Short Brothers. After Airbus assumed control of the program in 2018 and rebranded the aircraft to A220, wing production was handed over to Spirit AeroSystems in 2020. Supply-chain challenges and financial difficulties at Spirit strained wing availability, impeding Airbus’ ambitions to rapidly scale A220 outputs.
Airbus finalized acquisition of the Belfast wing and mid-fuselage operations from Spirit in December 2025 after Boeing agreed to reacquire Spirit AeroSystems. Notably, Airbus received $439 million in compensation for taking over the loss-making wing production division. Less than a year later, Airbus is investing substantial capital to both stabilize and expand the plant’s capacity, signaling confidence in the program’s long-term viability.
Producing 13 A220s per month equates to an annual output of 156 aircraft, a nearly 70% increase over the 93 jet deliveries Airbus achieved in 2025. Despite previous aspirations to reach 14 aircraft monthly by 2026, Airbus lowered its intermediate targets due to supply constraints before settling on the current 2028 rate. The substantial ramp-up is driven by firm demand, with over 1,100 orders and 574 jets still outstanding as of mid-2026.
Major customers, such as AirAsia, have placed large orders underpinning the need for higher production. AirAsia’s recent purchase of 150 A220-300 jets represents the largest single firm order for the program and matches a full year’s planned output at the 13-per-month rate. Additionally, options for a prospective A220-500 model could further fuel demand, making a robust industrial base indispensable.
Airbus’ investment in the Belfast wing plant extension is a pivotal industrial move to ensure steady supply of a core aircraft component, which is essential for scaling A220 production and driving the program toward profitability. Expanding reliable manufacturing capabilities at this critical facility lays the foundation for Airbus to meet market demand with efficient, next-generation single-aisle aircraft.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is Airbus expanding the A220 wing facility in Belfast?
- Airbus is expanding the Belfast wing facility to increase production capacity to support a target of producing 13 A220 aircraft per month by 2028, addressing previous supply constraints.
- What is the significance of the new autoclave in the facility expansion?
- The third autoclave is vital for curing the carbon-fiber wings via high temperature and pressure, enabling higher throughput and maintaining the lightweight composite structure critical to the A220’s performance.
- How does this expansion relate to Airbus’ ownership of the Belfast facility?
- Airbus acquired the Belfast A220 wing operations from Spirit AeroSystems in late 2025 and is now investing heavily to expand the plant’s capacity after previously relying on external suppliers for wing production.
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