Airbus invests £150m to convert former A380 wing plant for A321 output

Airbus is investing 150 million pounds in its Broughton site in the United Kingdom, turning the plant that once built wings for the A380 into a production line for the A321 family. The refit is due to finish by the end of this year, the company said.

Once complete, the facility will have six wing assembly stations, an equipment line and a paint shop. Airbus says the work supports its delivery targets and the aircraft family's order book.

The site is being set up to supply a backlog of roughly 7,500 A320 family aircraft, about 75% of which are A321s. Assembly of the first wing has begun, and all production stations should be fully operational around the end of the year.

The investment also affects staffing at the Welsh complex. During 2026, Airbus plans to add around 480 high-value jobs across Broughton, including 250 direct positions at the reworked factory. Those roles will join the roughly 6,000 people already employed there. The company said the spending also covers ergonomic changes to workstations.

The move follows a 9% rise in Airbus deliveries through August. The manufacturer is still working toward its full-year target.