Airbus delivers first jet from new China line

Airbus delivered the first A320neo from its second final assembly line in Tianjin, China, expanding capacity in a market where demand for single-aisle jets is rising. The aircraft was handed to China Eastern Airlines on Wednesday and became the first jet completed at the new facility. Airbus said the second A320 Family line is its second such site in China and Asia, supporting a targeted production rate of 75 A320 Family aircraft per month. Philippe Mhun, Airbus executive vice president for Programmes and Services, said the delivery reflects Airbus’ long-term commitment to Chinese partners and confidence in continued growth of China’s civil aviation market. China Eastern has worked with Airbus for more than four decades and operated Airbus’s first Chinese aircraft delivery in 1985.