Airbus has delivered the first A320neo assembled at its second final assembly line in Tianjin, China, to China Eastern Airlines.
The delivery took place on Wednesday and marks the start of aircraft production at the new facility. It adds another production site to Airbus’ global manufacturing network.
The second Tianjin Final Assembly Line opened in October 2025. It joins Airbus’ original Tianjin facility, which began operations in 2008 as the company’s first commercial aircraft assembly line outside Europe.
The original line has assembled and delivered more than 800 A320 Family aircraft. The new facility gives Airbus additional capacity to serve airlines in China and other markets.
The A320neo is a newer version of the A320, with updated engines and other improvements that help reduce fuel consumption compared with earlier models.
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China Remains Major Market
Airbus expects strong demand for passenger aircraft in China over the next 20 years. Its latest Global Market Forecast projects demand for 8,830 new passenger aircraft in the Chinese market during that period.
That figure represents more than 20% of the 42,060 passenger aircraft Airbus expects the global market to require. The forecast covers airlines and passenger aircraft demand worldwide.
The expanded Tianjin operation gives Airbus production capacity within one of its largest customer markets. It also strengthens the company’s position within its wider international manufacturing system.
Wider Airbus Production Network
Airbus now operates 10 Final Assembly Lines across its commercial aircraft network. Four are in Hamburg, Germany, two are in Toulouse, France, two are in Mobile, US, and two are in Tianjin.
The facilities form part of Airbus’ distributed production system across Europe, North America and Asia. Tianjin is therefore integrated into a network that supports aircraft deliveries to customers in several regions.
Long Airbus-China Relationship
China Eastern has been an Airbus customer for more than 40 years. Its relationship with the manufacturer began in 1985, when the airline took delivery of China’s first Airbus aircraft, an A310.
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As of the end of August 2026, China Eastern operated 393 A320 Family aircraft, 56 A330 Family aircraft and 20 A350-900 aircraft. That made it the airline with the largest Airbus fleet in mainland China.
The latest delivery adds an A320neo to that fleet while marking the first aircraft produced at the second Tianjin line. With both facilities now part of Airbus’ production system, the site is set to play a larger role in meeting future aircraft demand.
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