Airbus has launched a second A320-family aircraft assembly line in Tianjin, a strategic northern Chinese port city, signaling a major push to align with China's rapidly growing aviation sector. The move comes as global demand for air travel rebounds and the Chinese mainland solidifies its position as a key aerospace market.
CEO Guillaume Faury told CGTN that Airbus will increase local production to capitalize on opportunities created by China's latest Five-Year Plan, which prioritizes aviation infrastructure development. "China's aviation industry is accelerating, and we're committed to growing alongside our partners here," Faury said during the facility's Wednesday inauguration.
The Tianjin expansion strengthens Airbus' foothold in Asia's largest economy, where it delivered 63 aircraft to Chinese customers in Q1 2024 alone. Analysts note the move complements China's efforts to modernize its transportation networks while providing European manufacturers access to skilled labor and efficient supply chains.
This development follows recent agreements between Airbus and Chinese state-owned enterprises to develop sustainable aviation technologies, reflecting deepening industrial cooperation across the Eurasia trade corridor.
