MRO & Manufacturing
Daher Secures Contract for Second Airbus A321 Assembly Line in Toulouse
Daher expands its industrial services contract to include a second Airbus A321 final assembly line at Toulouse’s Jean-Luc Lagardère site.
This article is based on an official press release from Daher.
ORLY, France, Daher has officially expanded its industrial footprint within the Airbus ecosystem, announcing on January 21, 2026, that it has been awarded the industrial services contract for the second A321 final assembly line (FAL) in Toulouse. This new agreement effectively doubles the company’s operations related to the single-aisle jetliner at the historic Jean-Luc Lagardère site.
According to the company’s announcement, this expansion complements the renewal of its existing contract for the first A321 FAL, where Daher has served as the lead service provider since 2022. The dual contracts solidify Daher’s position as a critical partner in Airbus’s efforts to ramp up Manufacturing of its best-selling narrowbody aircraft.
The newly awarded contract tasks Daher with a specific set of “industrialization” duties essential for the smooth flow of the final assembly process. These services are distinct from general logistics, involving hands-on technical preparation of major aircraft sections before they enter the final joining stages.
As detailed in the press release, the work packages include:
By managing these upstream tasks, Daher aims to ensure quality control and maintain a consistent workflow for Airbus technicians working on the main assembly line.
Cédric Eloy, the CEO of Daher Industrial Services, emphasized that the new contract allows the company to leverage synergies between the two parallel assembly lines located within the same facility.
“This expansion reflects the strength of our Partnerships with Airbus. We successfully supported the launch of the first Airbus A321 FAL, and we’re now continuing the journey with the second final assembly line. By pooling expertise and strengthening synergies, we provide Airbus with a reliable and competitive operating model.”
— Cédric Eloy, CEO of Daher Industrial Services
While the official release focuses on the Contracts award, AirPro News notes that this development is a significant milestone in Airbus’s broader industrial strategy. The Jean-Luc Lagardère facility, once the home of the A380 superjumbo, has been aggressively repurposed to address the massive backlog for the A321neo family. Industry data indicates that the A321neo now accounts for approximately 60% of the A320 Family backlog. To meet Deliveries commitments, Airbus has set a production target of 75 A320-family aircraft per month by 2026/2027. The activation of a second line in Toulouse is critical to achieving this rate.
For Daher, this contract validates its strategic pivot toward high-value industrial services. Following its acquisition of Assistance Aéronautique et Aérospatiale (AAA) in 2023, Daher has significantly bolstered its workforce capabilities. By securing the role of lead service provider on both Toulouse lines, Daher mitigates operational risks for Airbus, providing a single, integrated workforce to manage the complex preparatory phases of production.
What is the Jean-Luc Lagardère site? What is the difference between the two contracts mentioned? What specific tasks will Daher perform?
Daher Doubles Operational Scope with Second Airbus A321 Assembly Line Contract
Scope of Industrial Services
Executive Commentary
AirPro News Analysis: The Strategic Context
Frequently Asked Questions
Located in Toulouse, France, this massive facility was originally built to assemble the Airbus A380. Since the end of A380 production, it has been converted to house modern final assembly lines for the A320 and A321 families.
Daher has held the contract for the first A321 line at this site since 2022; this contract was renewed at the end of 2025. The new announcement concerns the second line, which doubles the volume of work Daher performs at the site.
Daher technicians will handle the “stuffing” and preparation of sections, including installing electrical systems, cabin equipment, and preparing wings for attachment, rather than the final structural joining of the aircraft.
Sources
Photo Credit: Daher