Airbus Opens Second Jet Assembly Line in China After Alabama Expansion

In a bold step to expand its global manufacturing network and meet rising aircraft demand, Airbus has opened its second final assembly line in China, marking a new milestone in its long-term partnership with the country.

The new facility, located in Tianjin near Beijing, will boost production of the company’s best-selling A320neo family — a direct competitor to Boeing’s 737 MAX — and strengthen Airbus’s foothold in the Asian aviation market.

Expanding Global Footprint — From Alabama to Tianjin

The Tianjin line will be Airbus’s 10th final assembly line worldwide and is set to become fully operational by early 2026. This expansion follows the recent inauguration of another A320neo assembly line in Mobile, Alabama (USA), which became operational just weeks earlier.

Together, these two new facilities highlight Airbus’s global production strategy — diversifying manufacturing across continents to meet surging international demand and mitigate supply chain challenges.

Airbus and China Deepen Industrial Cooperation

Ahead of the Tianjin opening, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury met with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing. According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, their discussion focused on expanding China–Europe trade and industrial cooperation, emphasizing the mutual benefits of continued aerospace collaboration.

Minister Wang noted that rising economic fragmentation and protectionist trends have created instability in global trade, calling for stronger bilateral efforts to maintain open cooperation. Airbus, in response, reaffirmed its commitment to the Chinese market and pledged to strengthen its local presence while contributing to broader China–France and China–EU trade relations.

A Strengthened Global Network

Since its first Tianjin assembly line began operations in 2008, Airbus has delivered more than 600 aircraft from China, underscoring its deepening industrial ties with the region. With this new facility, China now plays an even larger role in Airbus’s international supply chain — serving as a crucial link between European engineering, American production, and Asian demand.

As global air travel rebounds and airlines race to modernize their fleets, Airbus’s dual expansion in China and the U.S. positions it strongly against Boeing, ensuring steady growth and a more resilient manufacturing ecosystem for the years ahead.