Aircraft

Tianjin's Binhai International Airport will build a second runway by May 2009 to help in the test flights of the Airbus A320 aircraft will be manufactured in the city.

China's official Xinhua news agency reports that the 3,200 metres long runway will also help the airport to cope with a projected growth in traffic, and help in its aim of becoming an alternative to Beijing's Capital International Airport. Tianjin is located around 110 kilometres east of Beijing, China's capital.

Construction of the A320 plant, in which Airbus has a 51% stake and is the first for the company outside Europe, began in May 2007. Airbus' partner is Tianjin Zhongtian Aviation Industry, a joint venture between China Aviation Industry Corp I, China Aviation Industry Corp II and Tianjin Bonded Zone Investment.

Airbus began transporting aircraft sections to the facility in June, and assembly of the first A320 is due to begin imminently. The plant will have capacity to assemble 44 aircraft annually by 2011.

Delivery of the first China-built A320 to Sichuan Airlines is scheduled for the first half of next year.