European aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, announced today the commencement of construction on its second final aircraft assembly line in the Tianjin region of Northern China. This move is in line with the company’s strategy to bolster its production capacity and further penetrate the rapidly expanding Chinese market.
Foundation Stone Cemented for a Promising Future
This monumental event of laying the foundation stone is the second significant milestone after Airbus inked an agreement with Tianjin Free Trade Zone Investment Company and the China Aviation Industry Corporation last April. The signing ceremony was graced by the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in the Chinese capital, Beijing.
In an official statement, Airbus mentioned that the new assembly line is anticipated to be operational by the end of 2025.
Ramping Up Production to Meet Growing Demand
Airbus has set ambitious targets, aiming to amplify the production of its best-selling A320neo aircraft to 75 units per month by 2026. Specifically, in China, the company is on a trajectory to double its production of this model to 12 aircraft monthly.
Reiterating the company’s robust plans from last April, Airbus confirmed that the new line would indeed double the production capacity of the A320 models on Chinese soil.
Addressing the media, Guillaume Faury, the CEO of the European giant, commented, “With the continued growth of the Chinese market, it’s entirely logical for us to produce locally for Chinese airlines, and perhaps for other customers in the region.”
China’s aviation market has been witnessing unparalleled growth, making it a hotspot for global aviation giants. Airbus, with its recent endeavors, is keen on ensuring that it capitalizes on this growth by localizing its production and catering directly to the demands of the Chinese airlines and potentially others in the Asian region.
