Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Airbus Delivers First Tianjin-Built A320neo To China Eastern
Airbus built a new aircraft assembly line in Tianjin, China.
The line made its first A320neo aircraft.
Airbus gave that aircraft to China Eastern Airlines.
This is the second Airbus assembly line in Tianjin.
The first Tianjin plant opened in 2008 and has made more than 800 aircraft.
China Eastern has the largest Airbus fleet among mainland Chinese airlines.
Airbus says China will need many more passenger planes in the future.
The new line is meant to help Airbus build more planes for China and other customers.
Airbus delivered the first A320 Family aircraft built at its second Tianjin assembly line to China Eastern Airlines.
The second Final Assembly Line began operations in October 2025 and is intended to increase production capacity.
Airbus’s original Tianjin plant, opened in 2008, has produced and delivered more than 800 A320 Family aircraft.
China Eastern operates the largest Airbus fleet among Chinese mainland carriers, including 393 A320 Family aircraft as of August 2026.
Airbus forecasts China will need 8,830 new passenger aircraft over the next two decades, more than 20% of global demand.
- Who
- Airbus delivered an aircraft to China Eastern Airlines.
- What
- The first A320 Family aircraft produced at Airbus’s second Tianjin Final Assembly Line was handed over.
- When
- The second assembly line began operations in October 2025; China Eastern’s fleet figures are dated August 2026.
- Where
- The aircraft was produced at Airbus’s assembly facility in Tianjin, North China.
- Why
- The new line is intended to expand production capacity and meet rising aircraft demand, particularly in China.
- Aircraft delivered
- First A320 Family aircraft produced at Airbus’s second Tianjin Final Assembly Line
- Recipient
- China Eastern Airlines
- Second line opening
- October 2025
- Original Tianjin plant
- Opened in 2008 as Airbus’s first commercial aircraft assembly plant outside Europe
- Tianjin production
- More than 800 A320 Family aircraft produced and delivered
- China Eastern fleet
- As of August 2026: 393 A320 Family, 56 A330 Family and 20 A350-900 aircraft
- China aircraft demand
- 8,830 new passenger aircraft projected over the next two decades