Airbus Strengthens Global Presence with New Assembly Lines in U.S. and China
Airbus will inaugurate a second assembly line in the United States on October 13, located in Mobile, Alabama, marking a decade since the opening of its first plant in that state. Just days later, the company will replicate this move with the expansion of a facility in Tianjin, China. These consecutive ceremonies are designed to avoid generating friction within the delicate commercial environment between Washington and Beijing.
According to industry sources, these actions are part of a carefully balanced plan aimed at maintaining neutrality towards the two largest powers in commercial aviation. “There is a lot of sensitivity about how this is perceived,” one of the sources stated.
Goal: Increase A320neo Production
The world’s largest aircraft manufacturer is in a phase of full expansion. Airbus aims to increase the monthly production of its A320neo family to 75 units by 2027. To achieve this, the company plans to double its capacity in both Alabama and Tianjin.
The Alabama Department of Commerce confirmed that the new line in Mobile will open this month, with the promise of being more competitive than its counterparts in France and Germany.
→ Airbus Maintains Annual Delivery Target Despite Engine Delays, CEO Assures
China: Between New Orders and Geopolitical Tensions
Airbus has been negotiating the sale of up to 500 aircraft with Chinese airlines for months. However, only a portion of the order is expected to be formalized to coincide with the expansion of the Tianjin factory.
In August, Bloomberg reported that Chinese airlines had already begun dividing this order, while Boeing is still awaiting a similar order linked to commercial talks between the two countries.
The inauguration of the new Chinese line was initially scheduled for the end of this year, with deliveries starting in 2026. However, the ceremony has been moved forward to take place right after the event in the United States, reinforcing the message of balance between both markets.
India: Next Front in Airbus’s Strategy
Beyond the U.S. and China, Airbus is also betting on India, where its board of directors is visiting this week. The Asian country has requested its own assembly line to support massive orders from local airlines, a move that would replicate the investment made in China.
For now, Airbus appears reluctant due to tensions in the global supply chain. Instead of a commercial aircraft plant, it has focused on the military and helicopter segments. The company announced the construction of a plant in Vemagal, Karnataka, in partnership with Tata Advanced Systems.
A company spokesperson confirmed the visit to India and underscored the country’s relevance as a market and a center for strategic operations.
With information from Reuters
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