Industry Airbus delivers first A350 from completion centre in China

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has taken another step in extending its worldwide presence. With the delivery of a first A350 XWB widebody aircraft from the completion and delivery centre (C&DC) in Tianjin, China, the company is strengthening its long-standing partnership with China and the region.

Receiver airline of the first Tianjin-delivered Airbus A350-900 was China Eastern Airlines, the largest Airbus operator in Asia and the second largest in the world. The airline already operated nearly 10 A350s and this latest aircraft adds to that. Normally, the A350s will be equipped in Toulouse, France, or Hamburg-Finkenwerder, Germany.

George Xu, Airbus Executive Vice President and Airbus China CEO, said: “I’m proud that Airbus successfully extended the capability of the widebody C&DC in Tianjin to the A350, the latest new generation aircraft, at such a difficult time of global aviation.“

“This is a new milestone in the long-term cooperation between China and Airbus, which further demonstrates Airbus’ commitment to the country. Congratulations to China Eastern Airlines, our long-term strategic partner, for receiving the first A350 delivered from China, and I appreciate their trust in Airbus and in our products as always,” Xu concluded.

The centre in Tianjin was initially inaugurated in September 2017 and Airbus has since then delivered several Airbus A330s to customers in Asia. Back in 2019, during a visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, the MoU was signed for further developing the facility.

In Tianjin, Airbus also operates its only Final Assembly Line in Asia, where the carrier produces and delivers Airbus A320 Family aircraft. The facilities have been installed to guarantee faster delivery times for customers in the area.

The Airbus A350 XWB plays an important role in the aircraft line-up for Airbus. The aircraft features state-of-the-art technologies and engines that make flying more efficient and sustainable. Over the course of the aircraft programme, Airbus has already received 915 firm orders from 49 customers, showing the impact the aircraft will have on long-haul routes in the coming years.

China Eastern Airlines operated an Airbus fleet of 413 aircraft, including 349 A320 Family aircraft, 55 A330 Family aircraft and nine A350 aircraft, as of June 2021.