Airbus has inaugurated its new A330 completion and delivery centre (CDC) in Tianjin, with local operator Tianjin Airlines taking delivery of the centre's first aircraft - an A330-200 registered B-8596.
The 16,800sqm facility, built close to its existing A320 final assembly line, will ultimately have a monthly output of two aircraft per month by early 2019.
Airbus says the facility is capable of handling aircraft completion activities including cabin installation, exterior painting, engine runs, flight tests, and delivery.
This is Airbus's first completion and delivery centre for widebody jets outside Europe.
Firdaus Hashim
During FlightGlobal's visit to the centre, it viewed a fully-painted China Eastern Airlines A330-300 that had yet to receive its cabin interior.
"The inauguration of our A330 CDC in Tianjin together with the first of many deliveries, marks a new milestone for Airbus' international footprint and underlines the strong spirit of cooperation with our Chinese partners," says Airbus chief operating officer and president of commercial aircraft Fabrice Bregier.
Airbus first confirmed plans to open the centre in October 2014, and in July 2015 signed a framework deal for the centre with Chinese firms AVIC and Tianjin Free Trade Zone Investment Company. Groundbreaking for the centre took place in May 2016.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
