Airbus begins assembling A321 fuselages in collaboration with Chinese partners

The project was launched at Airshow China. George Xu, CEO of Airbus China, stated: “This newly launched A321 fuselage equipping project advances our partnership on single-aisle aircraft and demonstrates Airbus' commitment to localization.”

This collaboration builds on past success with the A320. Since June 2021, AVIC Xi’an Aircraft Industry Group has equipped A320 fuselages and become a strategic supplier for Airbus.

XAT has delivered 104 fuselages for the A320 line in Tianjin. With an estimated demand for over 9,500 new aircraft in China over two decades, Airbus plans further facility upgrades in Tianjin and a second final assembly line next year.

Currently valued at over $1 billion, industrial cooperation between Airbus and China's aviation industry continues to grow from $140 million fifteen years ago. Many components of operational Airbus aircraft are made in China.

As part of ongoing partnerships celebrating milestones this year—40 years with China specifically—Airbus maintains extensive operations within the country employing about 2,300 people across ten sites.

China remains crucial for future expansions as it becomes an integral market globally amidst evolving collaborations spanning research through recycling phases alongside European counterparts like COMAC seeking certifications abroad despite challenges ahead.