Airbus delivers first aircraft from its second A320 Family Final Assembly Line in China

Tianjin, China, 16 September 2026 – Airbus has delivered the first A320 Family aircraft assembled at its second Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Tianjin, China, an A320neo to China Eastern Airlines. The delivery represents a major milestone in Airbus’ industrial footprint expansion in China and across its global industrial system.

“I am deeply honored and proud to deliver the first aircraft assembled at our brand new Final Assembly Line in Tianjin to one of our longest standing customers, China Eastern Airlines. The delivery underscores Airbus’ long-term commitment to our Chinese partners and our confidence in the continuous growth of China’s civil aviation market.” said Philippe Mhun, Executive Vice President Programmes and Services of the Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus. “The second line in Tianjin is a critical facilitator for our global A320 Family ramp-up trajectory towards rate 75, and provides the necessary flexibility and capacity to meet strong market demand.”

Since the inauguration of the first FAL in Tianjin in 2008, Airbus’ first commercial aircraft assembly line outside Europe, the facility has assembled and delivered over 800 A320 Family aircraft. The second line, inaugurated in October 2025, will enable Airbus to significantly increase production to the benefit of its customers in China and beyond. According to Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast (GMF 2026-2045), China will require 8,830 new passenger aircraft over the next two decades. This demand accounts for more than 20% of the total global demand for 42,060 new passenger aircraft over the same period. The second line also complements the global Airbus production network of ten Final Assembly Lines - four in Hamburg (Germany), two in Toulouse (France), two in Mobile (United States), and two in Tianjin (China). 

Headquartered in Shanghai, China Eastern Airlines is one of China’s three major state-owned airline groups. The airline took delivery of China’s first Airbus aircraft, an A310 in 1985, marking the beginning of a long-term cooperation with Airbus that has lasted for over 40 years. China Eastern currently operates the largest Airbus fleet in the Chinese mainland, including 393 A320 Family aircraft, 56 A330 Family aircraft, and 20 A350-900 aircraft (end of August 2026).