Airbus has signed a deal with partners in China to establish an A330 Completion and Delivery Centre in Tianjin.

The deal takes the partnership between Airbus and China a further step forward following the successful establishment of an A320 Family Final Assembly Line and Delivery Centre in the Chinese city. 

Tianjin Free Trade Zone Investment Company and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China will partner on the deal.

The agreement was signed by Fabrice Brégier, Airbus president, Yang Bing, president of the TJFTZ and Pang Zhen, vice president, commercial aircraft, AVIC representing the Chinese parties, at the Airbus site in Toulouse, France.

The signature was witnessed by visiting Chinese premier Li Keqiang and French prime minister Manuel Valls.

Premier Li has had a tour of the Airbus facility, accompanied by Valls after they have presided over a Europe-China Economic Forum held in Toulouse. 

The framework agreement firms-up the Letter of Intent signed by the three parties last year.

“Building on our successful cooperation with China, highlighted by the A320 Family Final Assembly Line in Tianjin, our partnership keeps growing and expanding.

“The signature of this framework agreement on the A330 Completion and Delivery Centre will open a new chapter of strategic cooperation on wide-body aircraft with China.

“Together, we will develop new facilities and capabilities, and attract new suppliers and businesses in China,” said Brégier.

The A330 C&DC Tianjin will be located near the site of the Airbus A320 Family Final Assembly Line in Tianjin.

The C&DC will cover the aircraft completion activities including reception, cabin installation, aircraft painting, engine run and flight test, as well as aircraft delivery and customer flight acceptance.

Under the project, the A330 Family aircraft to be completed at the A330 C&DC Tianjin will be assembled in Toulouse but will be painted and have their cabin furnished and installed in Tianjin.