Airbus has inaugurated its A330 completion and delivery centre in Tianjin, taking additional steps in the expansion of its global footprint and strategic partnership with China.

At the same time, the first A330 to be delivered from the facility was handed over to Tianjin Airlines.

Located at the same site as the Airbus Tianjin A320 family final assembly line and the Airbus Tianjin Delivery Centre, the A330 delivery centre covers the aircraft completion activities including cabin installation, aircraft painting and production flight test, as well as customer flight acceptance and aircraft delivery.

Some 150 Chinese staff members of the centre were trained by Airbus experts in Toulouse.

The new plant is composed of paint shop, weighing hangar and one main hangar with three aircraft positions covering an area of 16,800m.

The A330 delivery centre in Tianjin will employ more than 250 people and is ready to deliver two aircraft per month by early 2019.

“The inauguration of our A330 delivery centre 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,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus chief operating officer, commercial aircraft.

“Wide-body aircraft completed in China is an Airbus and an industry first which demonstrates our mutual commitment to a strong and growing Chinese aviation sector.”