On September 16 (local time), Airbus handed over the first aircraft assembled at the new A320 assembly line (FAL) in Tianjin city, northern China.
This is the company's second production line in China in particular, as well as in Asia in general.
The A320neo was handed over to China Eastern Airlines. This airline currently operates the largest Airbus fleet in China.
According to Mr. Philippe Mhun, Executive Vice President in charge of Programs and Services, Airbus Commercial Aircraft Division, the second FAL line in China has been in operation since October last year. The addition of this line is part of Airbus' plan to increase A320 production capacity globally, aiming to bring the number of aircraft shipped each month to 75 and meet the increasing demand of the market.
The first FAL line in Tianjin went into operation in 2008, becoming Airbus's first commercial aircraft assembly facility outside Europe. To date, more than 800 A320 aircraft have been assembled and delivered here.
Chinese airlines currently operate more than 2,300 Airbus aircraft, of which about one-third are assembled and delivered in Tianjin.
China is currently Airbus's largest single market for civilian aircraft. According to the European aircraft manufacturer, Airbus's aircraft fleet market share in China has increased from about 20% in 2008 to more than 50% today.
According to Airbus' latest Global Market Forecast report, the demand for new passenger aircraft in China is forecast to reach 8,830 units in the next two decades, equivalent to more than 20% of total global demand estimated at 42,060 units.
