Gallery: An exclusive look inside Airbus's new Tianjin A330 facility
September 22, 2017
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Many guests inspected Tianjin Airlines' first A330-200.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Chinese drummers welcomed guests for the opening of the A330 Completion and Delivery Center in Tianjin China.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
The new plant includes a paint shop, weighing hangar and one main hangar with three aircraft positions covering an area of 16,800 sq m. The A330 C&DC in Tianjin will employ more than 250 people and is ready to deliver two aircraft per month by early 2019.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Inside the new Completion and Delivery Center is the second aircraft for delivery, an A330-300 for China Eastern Airlines.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
The first aircraft delivered from the new facility is an Airbus A330-200 forTianjin Airlines.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Near the Airbus A330 Completion and Delivery Center is the Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the A319 and A320 aircraft. The first China-built aircraft was delivered in June 2009.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
A map of the Airbus plant in Tianjin. On the left is the A320 FAL and to the right is the newly established A330 C&DC, which can also be adapted to the A330neo and A350 aircraft.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Another A320, which will be assembled in Tianjin. In 2017, 33 aircraft have been delivered from Tianjin.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Parts of a China Eastern A320.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
An A320 for Malaysia's AirAsia.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Parts of a China Eastern A320.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
The next A320 for AirAsia to be completed shortly.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Airbus COO and president of Commercial Aircraft Fabrice Bregier (right).
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Airbus's joint venture, Harbin Hafei Composite Manufacturing Center, which assembles many A320 and A350 parts including elevators and rudders.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Smaller composite parts are still man-made.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Composite shopfloor manager Antonin Alamelle explains the production of an A350 elevator. The parts will be shipped to Europe, which takes about two months onboard a container ship.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Employees work on an A350 rudder. Per month, six A350 rudders and 45 A320 rudders are produced in Harbin and sent to Airbus in Europe. 80% of all A320 single-aisle aircraft rudders are produced in Harbin.
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
Another A350 elevator, which is located on the wing in the rear of the aircraft close to the tail, will be prepared for the next step of manufacturing.
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus opened an A330 Completion and Delivery Center in Tianjin, China, to strengthen its expansion and strategic partnership with China. The first aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, was delivered to Tianjin Airlines, the carrier’s fourth of the type. ATW correspondent Kurt Hofmann was invited to visit Airbus in Beijing, Tianjin and Harbin.
