New Airbus cargo jet completes maiden flight with Flintshire built wings

Airbus has marked a key milestone for its new A350F cargo aircraft after the freighter successfully completed its maiden flight. The first prototype departed Toulouse on Tuesday, September 29, launching a flight-test programme expected to last more than nine months. During the sortie, the aircraft flew for four hours and 10 minutes and reached 25,000 ft as Airbus test pilots checked basic airworthiness, flying characteristics and onboard systems. The development has links to North Wales because the wings for the A350 programme are manufactured at Airbus’ Broughton plant in Flintshire. Airbus says a second A350F prototype is nearing final assembly and will go to the paint shop within weeks.