Airbus has completed the construction of the 100th A320 aircraft made at its Chinese factory in Tianjin.
The facility, which started operating just four years ago in August 2008 has now delivered 100 narrow-body A320s to 11 Chinese operators from Tianjin.
Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao presided over a gathering of approximately 1,000 people in Tianjin to celebrate the completion of the landmark aircraft at the Airbus Final Assembly Line China (FALC) – a joint venture between Airbus and its Chinese partners.
The move follows a deal from Chinese aircraft leasing company ICBC Leasing to order 50 A320s.
“The completion of the 100th A320 family aircraft by the Airbus Tianjin final assembly line represents a significant milestone for the cooperation between Airbus and China, as well as the Airbus strategy of internationalisation, one of the pillars of the Airbus vision for our future,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President & CEO. “Having a final assembly line in Tianjin has greatly promoted the Airbus brand and image in China and brought us closer to our customers in one of the world’s most important aircraft markets. I would like to congratulate all those involved in making FALC a great success and contributing to a win-win situation for Airbus and the Chinese industry,” he added.
The FALC is the third A320 Family final assembly line in the world after the existing facilities in Toulouse and Hamburg. In July this year, Airbus announced its decision to establish an A320 final assembly line in the US.
