[Global Times-Global Network Reporter Fan Wei] On October 22, 2025, Airbus, a global integrated aviation company, launched its second A320 series aircraft assembly line in Tianjin, China. It is understood that the new facility is expected to be fully put into operation in early 2026. Preparations for the final assembly of the first aircraft are currently underway. Airbus CEO Furi said in an interview with the Global Times reporter that Airbus hopes to further expand the local supply chain in China in the future. "Even in the face of geopolitical and other challenges, Airbus will continue to invest in China and continue to expand its business scale." Fu Li said.

¡°Only in China¡¯s first assembly line, Airbus has already assembled about 780 aircraft, and it is expected that by the end of this year, the total assembly will exceed 800 aircraft.¡± said Fury, the opening of the second assembly line in China will increase Airbus¡¯ production capacity, increase Airbus¡¯ Tianjin assembly line production capacity.

According to the Global Times reporter, with the addition of the second production line, Airbus will be able to double its production capacity in locations close to customers in China and outside China, and build a global production network of 10 assembly lines, including four in Hamburg, Germany, two in Toulouse, France, two in Mobyl, USA, and two in Tianjin, China.

In addition to being delivered to the China market, Airbus aircraft produced and assembled in China are also being delivered to many countries around the world. Fu Li told the Global Times reporter that except for the China market, Airbus's global market share is increasing. "Recently, the total delivery of Airbus A320 series aircraft has surpassed that of Boeing 737 series, becoming the best-selling and most successful civil aircraft in history, although the A320 series was launched 20 years later than the Boeing 737 series."

He further stated that Airbus not only provides services to the Chinese market from outside China, but also provides services overseas through facilities in China, and Tianjin facilities are an important support for Airbus's services in China. It is worth mentioning that about 25% of the aircraft assembled by Airbus Tianjin assembly line last year were delivered to customers outside China, covering Europe, Asia, the Middle East and other regions.

"It should be noted that Airbus's industrial contribution in China is not limited to 'Airbus aircraft produced in Tianjin are exported abroad', but also includes that the wings of many Airbus A320 series aircraft are made in China, and the system assembly of large components of some Airbus aircraft is also completed in China." Xu Gang, CEO of Airbus China, further introduced that Airbus is helping China's aviation industry chain to go global and achieve exports in this way.

¡°It is worth mentioning that since 2023, Airbus began to scale out Tianjin-made aircraft to non-Chinese customers, customers outside China delivered Airbus aircraft made in China on a timely basis and the quality of the product was highly appreciated. Therefore, we demand that the team continue to maintain high quality, timely delivery standards, which will become the core competitiveness of attracting more non-Chinese customers to choose to receive aircraft from Tianjin.¡±

Regarding the second Airbus China assembly line officially put into operation this time, Airbus Global Senior Vice President and Airbus China Chief Operating Officer Bai Schumann believes that after the second assembly line is opened, Airbus will deliver more aircraft to non-China customers. Airbus is looking forward to this, because this not only shows that Airbus China mainly serves China airlines, but also reflects that Airbus China has the ability to provide products to the global market.

¡°In addition, this also highlights the concept of Airbus¡¯ openness,¡± Bershuman told the Global Times reporter, adding that Airbus¡¯ layout in China is not only focused on the local market, but is also committed to integrating into the global industrial chain and sharing cooperation results with the world. Airbus has been a joint venture since its inception, and this cooperation gene has continued to this day, and the launch of the second general assembly line is precisely the vivid embodiment of Airbus¡¯ cooperation model in China.

"The current world situation is complicated, and 'anti-globalization' is on the rise, but now the interdependence among countries may have reached the highest level in history, and there are also some contradictions that we need to deal with." Fu Li believes that the world is changing rapidly, sometimes even unpredictable and full of uncertainty, which is exactly the challenge Airbus needs to face. Therefore, it is essential to have reliable partners. Airbus firmly believes that taking root in China and serving China is of great significance and value. This is also a way to deal with the so-called "anti-globalization" and can enhance the resilience of Airbus's business.

It is understood that Airbus not only carries out aircraft manufacturing and assembly in China, but also continues to expand in the fields of R & D, design, testing, support and service, and Airbus is also conducting related business throughout the life cycle of the aircraft.Fury believes that these reflect the breadth of Airbus' business in China.In fact, Airbus is committed to China's development, jointly creating prosperity results with China, which not only serves China, but also benefits Airbus, which is a win-win cooperation model, we are convinced of this and firmly practice.

It is understood that the Airbus Tianjin final assembly line was put into operation in 2008 and is Airbus's first civil aircraft production line outside Europe. So far, this facility has assembled and delivered more than 780 A320 series aircraft, becoming a successful example of China-EU cooperation.

Fury believes that Airbus is, to a certain extent, a miniature of Europe ¨C historically, Airbus has been jointly funded by companies from several European countries, a model of cooperation that has greatly helped Airbus to expand its business in a collaborative way across the globe. Currently, Airbus¡¯ partnership with China is progressing smoothly, and Airbus has gained positive energy from it and hopes to contribute to the deepening of Central European relations.

"The current world situation is complicated, but the two major Chinese and European economies have sufficient reasons to strengthen cooperation and overcome external challenges, which is also why many European countries' ambassadors in China attended the launch ceremony," Fury said.