In light of nearing end of Airbus A380 production in 2021, Airbus is developing strategic changes for further years to increase its industrial capacity and flexibility for other aircraft programs. One of the steps: conversion of A380 facility in Toulouse into the A321 final assembly line (FAL) by mid-2022.

This way Airbus will modernize its A320 production system in Toulouse and create for itself more flexibility in building A321 planes. As for now, the airframer is manufacturing the A321 aircraft only at its European FAL located in Hamburg.

“We are enjoying an unprecedented high demand for our winning A320neo Family and especially its A321 Long Range (LR) and Xtra Long Range (XLR) derivatives,” said Michael Schoellhorn, Airbus Chief Operating Officer.

According to Airbus, Toulouse was chosen mainly for its “overall competitiveness”, cost of investment, available space for production and time to market.