Tianjin (China): Airbus, the leading manufacturer of commercial aircrafts, has said that it has delivered more than 630 A320 family aircraft assembled at its final assembly line Asia (FALA) in north China’s Tianjin Municipality over the past 15 years.
In 2008, the European aircraft manufacturer had launched its final assembly line in Tianjin, the first to be opened outside of Europe. In November 2021, Airbus revealed its plans to expand the capabilities of FALA in Tianjin to accommodate A321 production, responding to rising market demand for the aircraft type.
Also Read: Airbus inks deal with Vadodara-based tech institute for further hiring
In March 2023, Airbus delivered the first A321neo aircraft assembled at FALA in Tianjin to China’s Juneyao Air. Next month, it entered into an agreement with its Chinese partners to enhance the final assembly capacity for its A320 family aircraft with the addition of a second final assembly line planned at the same site.
The second final assembly line will have the capacity for both A320 and A321 production and is expected to be operational by the end of 2025. By then, Airbus will have 10 A320 family aircraft final assembly lines worldwide, including two in Tianjin, according to Airbus.
Also Read: China’s indigenous passenger plane goes on 1st commercial flight
Alberto Gutierrez, chief operating officer of Airbus, said that Airbus will continue to invest in China and cooperation will be deepened, noting that the company is confident in maintaining its advantages in China in the future.
India invite Airbus, Boeing to set up plants
Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia had earlier urged the aircraft giants, Airbus and Boeing, to set up their plants in India so as to meet the growing requirement of parts and other accessories in view of soaring aviation sector. “The time has come to serve its soaring demand with jets assembled on domestic soil,” Scindia had said in March this year.
Also Read: Air India signs deal with Airbus to acquire 250 modern aircraft
Asked whether Airbus and Boeing should now consider setting up jetliner assembly in India, Scindia said, “Absolutely, and with a capital A, and the reason why I said capital A is because Airbus has already made that huge landmark step: the C295.”
Airbus and Boeing have both highlighted the scale and technology of existing investments in India, playing down the significance of final passenger jet assembly.
