Airbus will set up a logistics center in Tianjin to optimally manage the supply chain for all its projects in China.It will serve as a hub to manage the transportation needs of all Airbus aircraft components flowing in and out of the country.
Laurence Barron, Airbus China president, said Tianjin was selected mainly because of the northern coastal city’s geographic advantage as a major seaport and its proximity to Airbus’ A320 aircraft final assembly line. The last part may be the most important.
The logistics center will begin operations at a temporary location in the free trade zone in January 2010. The facility will first manage simple logistics operations for the A320 wing-equipping project in Tianjin and Airbus’ manufacturing joint venture in Harbin.
More than half of Airbus’ worldwide fleet has components produced in China.
China Daily reported that Airbus opened its first final assembly line outside of Europe in Tianjin last year. The plant delivered its first A320 plane in June and is expected to roll out a total of 11 jets this year. (The picture illustrates what the deluxe, deluxe passenger gets. We can all dream.)