Airbus's first flying A350-900 prototype is nearing final assembly after its forward fuselage arrived at the line in Toulouse.

Airbus A350 FLT 

 Airbus

The 21m (69ft) section, which includes the cockpit, was transported by an A300-600ST freighter from the airframer's French plant at Saint Nazaire.

Final assembly of the airframe, MSN1, will start "over the summer period", says Airbus, when the forward section is mated with the centre and aft fuselage.

 Airbus A350 FLT

 Airbus

Airbus is already assembling the first static A350 test airframe, MSN5000, at Toulouse.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news