Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 23, Airbus inaugurated on Wednesday its second A320 family final assembly line (FAL) in Tianjin, northern China, marking a major step in the company’s cooperation with China—its largest market. The facility, the second of its kind in both China and Asia, reflects Airbus’ continued investment in the country and its long-term “in China, for China” strategy aimed at strengthening supply chain resilience.

This photo shows Airbus' second Final Assembly Line (FAL) for A320 family aircraft in Tianjin, North China, Oct 22, 2025.

With preparations for the assembly of its first single-aisle jet already in progress, the new line is expected to become fully operational by early 2026. Once in operation, it will double Airbus’ A320 series production capacity in Tianjin, serving both domestic and international carriers.

At the inauguration ceremony, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said: “We are committed to China, especially in the context of the deglobalization trend, and Airbus will continue to invest in China. The city of Tianjin has become an aviation powerhouse.” He added that the new line strengthens Airbus’ market presence, providing flexibility and capacity to achieve the company’s plan to assemble 75 A320 aircraft per month by 2027. Faury also noted that Airbus is expanding production capacity across all product lines.

The first A320 final assembly line in Tianjin, launched in 2008, was Airbus’ first commercial aircraft production facility outside Europe. To date, the Tianjin site has assembled and delivered over 780 A320 family aircraft, symbolizing successful cooperation between China and Europe. In 2024, about 25 percent of the A320 series aircraft assembled in Tianjin were delivered to foreign airlines, underscoring the plant’s role in serving global customers.

Faury highlighted that China’s industrial ecosystem continues to evolve, and Airbus plans to enhance its local supply chain and expand recruitment. Industry analyst Qi Qi said that the launch of the second A320 line demonstrates Airbus’ confidence in global demand and optimism about China’s market environment. He added that this expansion will draw more Chinese aviation enterprises into Airbus’ industrial chain to support both Tianjin assembly lines.

Jorge Toledo Albinana, EU Ambassador to China, called the launch “very good news in such turbulent times,” noting that Tianjin’s strength as a hub for free trade and innovation makes it an ideal location for Airbus’ investment.

During his visit to China on Tuesday, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Faury in Beijing, saying China’s market continues to expand as the world’s second-largest consumption and import market. Wang noted that China will promote new quality productive forces, offering broad opportunities for foreign enterprises like Airbus.

He also said China will safeguard global industrial and supply chain stability through collaboration with foreign-funded enterprises.

Faury reaffirmed Airbus’ confidence in China’s economy and civil aviation sector, expressing commitment to deepening cooperation with China, France, and the European Union. He added that Airbus holds “great respect” for the achievements of Commercial Aircraft Corp of China’s C919 models.