Airbus A330 completion, delivery center to be built in Tianjin

TOULOUSE - An A330 completion and delivery center (C&DC) will be set up in Tianjin, northern China, the aircraft manufacturer giant Airbus announced Thursday in a press release.

The A330 C&DC will be located near the site of the Airbus A320 family final assembly line in Tianjin.

The center will cover aircraft completion activities including reception, cabin installation, aircraft painting, engine run and flight test, as well as aircraft delivery and customer flight acceptance, Airbus said.

The plant will employ about 250 people and have an output of two aircraft per month. The first delivery is planned by the end of 2017, according to Airbus.

Airbus and its Chinese partners, namely the Tianjin Free Trade Zone Investment Company Ltd (TJFTZ) and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), signed a framework agreement to set up the A330 C&DC Tianjin.

The agreement was signed at the Airbus site in Toulouse, France.

"The signature of this framework agreement on the A330 Completion and delivery center will open a new chapter of strategic cooperation on wide-body aircraft with China. Together, we will develop new facilities and capabilities, and attract new suppliers and businesses in China," said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus president and CEO.

Airbus also signed a letter of intent with AVIC on cabin development cooperation and procurement frame contract with Zhejiang Xizi Aerospace Fastener Co Ltd for design, development, manufacturing, and supply of standard fastener parts.

At present, the in-service Airbus fleet with Chinese operators comprises over 1,150 aircraft (over 150 A330 Family and over 980 A320 Family aircraft).

In the period between 2014 and 2033, Airbus forecasts a demand in China for more than 5,300 new commercial passenger aircraft sized over 100 seats plus freighters.