From drawings to production, from soaring to retirement....Airbus aircraft were born and "regenerated" in China, completing their own "journey of life".
In the nearly 40 years since China introduced its first Airbus aircraft, the Chinese aviation industry has been accelerating its cooperation with Toulouse, France-based aircraft manufacturer Airbus. China not only provides Airbus with broad market prospects and a stable and reliable chain, but also allows Airbus to help the development of the global aviation industry through China and the world.
Deep integration of industrial production.
At the beginning of the new year, in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, preparations for the second production line of the Airbus A320 family aircraft in Asia are in full swing.
Tianjin's two first-class lines are the key to Airbus's global industrial strategic layout. Up to now, more than 660 A320 family aircraft have been completed in Tianjin**. Juan Tuvio (Chinese named Tao Haoan), General Manager of Airbus Tianjin***, said: "We are very satisfied with the facilities and ecosystem here, as well as with our Chinese partners and merchants. ”
Xu Gang, CEO of Airbus China, said that Airbus set up its first non-European civil aircraft production line in Tianjin in 2008 to get closer to Chinese customers. In order to further reduce costs and improve operational production efficiency, Airbus has also accelerated the localization layout of the first chain.
On September 28, 2023, the staff checked the equipment readiness at the construction site of the second ** line project of Airbus Tianjin. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhao Zishuo Today, Airbus has built a local first-chain ecosystem in China. From brackets and corners to fuselage barrels, wings and other components, there are more and more "Chinese elements" on Airbus aircraft.
Separated by a wall from the Airbus Tianjin ** line, the wings off the production line of AVIC West Aircraft Wing ** Factory can be directly delivered to the Airbus ** line. This is at least 60 days less than the previous voyage from the UK to Tianjin.
Looking at China, Chengfei Civil Aircraft, Shenfei Civil Aircraft, and Hafei Airbus are important suppliers of different types of Airbus doors, fuselages and rudders. In addition, there are also many Chinese private enterprises to join the Airbus global ** chain. At present, about 200 Chinese first-class companies have supplied products to Airbus, and all Airbus civilian aircraft have parts produced by Chinese companies. In 2020, Airbus and Chinese industrial cooperation were worth about $1 billion.
Airbus also encourages its international business to cooperate with China, driving many foreign investment in the aviation field to settle in China. Pumei Airlines, which produces metal parts for Airbus, has settled in Suzhou Industrial Park, GKN Aerospace, which manufactures aircraft windshields, has settled in Jingjiang, Jiangsu Province, and Chemetral, which produces sealants, has ...... in Pinghu, Zhejiang
On November 9, 2022, its first Airbus A321 aircraft was launched on the Airbus Tianjin ** line**. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhao Zishuo From the "beginning" to the "end" of the whole chain layout.
With nearly 40 years of in-depth cooperation, Airbus now delivers about 20% of the company's total global deliveries to Chinese customers every year.
At the same time, with the rapid development of China's aviation industry, Airbus's industrial chain layout in China continues to extend to both ends, forming a "full life cycle" service system for aircraft in China.
Focusing on the "beginning" of R&D, Airbus has set up a China R&D center in Suzhou, focusing on hydrogen infrastructure, electrification and new technology research and development. The Airbus China Innovation Center in Shenzhen focuses on projects in the areas of manufacturing innovation, cabin experience, hardware labs and sustainability.
Extending the "end" of the chain, Airbus has set up an aircraft life cycle service center in Chengdu to provide one-stop services such as aircraft parking and storage, aircraft sublease or resumption of operation, airframe maintenance, and dismantling, second-hand and usable aircraft material management and trading for various aircraft types. Here, 90% of the total weight of an aircraft can be utilized, and it will usher in a new life again.
At present, the scope of cooperation between Airbus and Chinese partners has covered the entire industry chain. "China's aviation industry ecosystem will support our further development, and we cannot do without our partners in China. Alberto Gutierrez (Chinese Gu Tiehai), then chief operating officer of Airbus, said this in September 2023.
Planner: Ni Siyi, Ding Xiguo.
Producer: Feng Junyang, Wei Jianhua, Wu Liming.
Co-ordinator: Yang Jun, Yan Junyan, Shao Xiangyun, Li Kun.
Reporter: Song Rui, Wang Hui, Zhang Yuqi.
*: Peng Mengyao.
Editors: Peng Mengyao, Xu Xiaolei, Wang Yujue, Cheng Dayu, Du Yuge.
Jointly produced by the International Department of Xinhua News Agency and Tianjin Branch.