Airbus is to integrate A350 completion activities into its Chinese facility in Tianjin from the second half of next year.
The airframer says it will deliver its first A350 from the completion and delivery centre by 2021.
Airbus has confirmed the A350 timelines after reinforcing its partnership with the Chinese operation through a revised agreement setting out further development of industrial co-operation.
The agreement, a memorandum of understanding, has been signed in Beijing between Airbus and the National Development and Reform Commission of China, during a visit by French president Emmanuel Macron.
Airbus is already planning to ramp up A320-family production at Tianjin, raising the plant’s monthly output to six aircraft by the end of this year – part of a broader plan to hike overall rates to 63 per month for the single-aisle jets.
Around 450 A320-family jets have been delivered from the Tianjin line since its opening in 2008.
Plans to integrate the A350 into the completion centre follow the inauguration of the facility – originally for A330 as well as A330neo work – in September 2017. Tianjin Airlines became the first recipient of a Chinese-finished A330.
Airbus chief Guillaume Faury says the Chinese partnership is of “great importance” to the airframer, adding: “We are committed to working with our Chinese partners to shape the future of the industry.”
Chinese flag carrier Air China has ordered 30 A350-900s while China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines are each taking 20. Sichuan Airlines has an order for 10.
These agreements with mainland Chinese operators are part of an overall firm commitment for 277 A350-900s and 54 A350-1000s from the Asia-Pacific region.
