Published on: 2026-09-17
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Tianjin, September 17 /Xinhua/ — Airbus Corporation on Wednesday delivered the first aircraft assembled on the new final assembly line for A320 family aircraft in the city of Tianjin in northern China, which became the second such line in China and Asia.
According to a representative of the corporation, the delivery served as an important milestone in expanding Airbus’s industrial presence in China and throughout the entire global industrial system.
The above-mentioned A320neo aircraft was delivered to the Chinese airline China Eastern Airlines. Currently, this airline operates the largest fleet of Airbus aircraft in mainland China. Back in 1985, it received the A310 – the first Airbus aircraft in China.
The successful delivery of the new aircraft became a confirmation of the legendary “Chinese speed,” shared Philippe Mhun, Executive Vice President for Programs and Services in Commercial Aircraft Business at Airbus.
“This delivery highlights Airbus’s long-term commitment to our Chinese partners and our confidence in the continued growth of China’s civil aviation market, as well as the indispensable resilience of the Chinese supply chain and China’s ability to provide supplies within Airbus’s global production network,” he commented.
Philipp Mhun also added that the mentioned final assembly line, which was commissioned in October last year, is an important factor contributing to the increase in production capacity of the A320 family aircraft to 75 units per month and providing the necessary flexibility and power to meet high market demand.
Deputy General Director of China Eastern Airlines He Xiaoqi at the aircraft handover ceremony noted that the two enterprises have been cooperating for over four decades. Their collaboration has expanded from aircraft acquisition to areas such as operational support and technical services.
China is the leader in the number of air passengers in the world. According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, by the end of 2025, nearly 1.53 billion passenger trips were served at Chinese civil airports, which is 4.8 percent more year over year.
Since its launch in 2008 in the city of Tianjin, the first final assembly line, which is also the first assembly line for commercial Airbus aircraft outside Europe, has assembled and delivered over 800 A320 family aircraft at this facility. Currently, Chinese airlines operate more than 2,300 Airbus aircraft, with about a third of them assembled and delivered in Tianjin.
There are more than 100 aviation companies in the bonded area of the Tianjin port, with over 20 of them directly cooperating with Airbus Corporation.
Bai Jingyu, head of the Department of Innovation and High-Tech Development of the National Development and Reform Commission of China, expressed hope that Airbus Corporation will fully utilize the major projects in Tianjin to accelerate vertical integration of production chains and supply chains.
The official called on Airbus to make greater use of China’s industrial potential, expand industrial cooperation, and actively promote the localization of the development and supply of key aircraft components such as fuselages and wings.
“Airbus has established a comprehensive, end-to-end manufacturing structure in China that covers the entire production chain,” noted Philippe Mhun, adding that China’s stable and reliable aviation supply chain and industrial ecosystem enable Airbus to deliver products worldwide from China and contribute to the growth of the global aviation industry.
By the end of 2025, the total annual volume of industrial cooperation between Airbus and China exceeded 1.4 billion USD, according to data from the corporation.
According to forecasts by Airbus Corporation, over the next two decades China’s demand for new passenger aircraft will reach 8,830 units, accounting for more than 20 percent of the projected global total of 42,060.
“In the future, we will continue to strengthen our industrial presence in China, emphasizing our unwavering trust and deeply rooted cooperation with our Chinese partners,” said Airbus Chief Operating Officer in China, Eric Buschmann.
According to him, the first delivery of the airliner assembled on the new final assembly line became “a vivid testament to the long-term partnership, joint achievements, and shared success of China and Europe.” -0-
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