Airbus (AIR.PA), the European aviation giant, has just cut the ribbon on its second assembly line in China, ramping up production of its popular A320neo family of single-aisle jets. This new line in the bustling port city of Tianjin, near Beijing, is set to be fully operational by early 2026, adding another piece to Airbus’ global production puzzle.
With this new line, Airbus now boasts a total of 10 final assembly lines worldwide, including two each in the US and China. The Tianjin inauguration comes hot on the heels of Airbus’ second final assembly line opening in Mobile, Alabama, just over a week ago.
Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury was on hand for the Tianjin ceremony, which featured massive European Union and Chinese flags. He expressed his excitement about the new line, saying it will provide the flexibility and capacity needed to reach Airbus’ ambitious goal of producing 75 A320-family aircraft per month by 2027.
Analysts estimate that Airbus is currently churning out around 60 of these single-aisle planes each month. The A320neo family goes toe-to-toe with Boeing’s (BA.N) 737 MAX and China’s homegrown C919, both of which have lower production rates.
Faury also met with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao the day before the ceremony. Wang emphasized the need for stable global trade, warning against economic fragmentation and protectionist moves. Airbus, for its part, is committed to growing its presence in China and strengthening trade ties between China, France, and Europe.
Industry insiders have been buzzing about the back-to-back line-opening ceremonies in Mobile and Tianjin, suggesting they’re a strategic move by Airbus to navigate the tricky trade climate between China and the United States. Airbus first announced its overseas expansion plans in 2022 and 2023, just as Washington and Beijing were diving into a prolonged trade war. Since then, Airbus and other European companies have been walking a tightrope to avoid offending either superpower.
