Airbus delivers 50th China-assembled A320

Airbus executives and engineers pose for group photo during the delivery of an Airbus A320 series plane in Tianjin, north China, June 1, 2011. The 50th Airbus A320 series plane that rolls off Tianjian assembly line was delivered to Juneyao Airlines here Wednesday. The Airbus 320 assembly line in Tianjin, the first for Airbus outside Europe, is a joint venture between Airbus, the Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC), and Tianjin Bonded Zone Investment Co., and went into production in September 2008.[Photo/Xinhua]

PARIS - European aircraft maker Airbus on Wednesday delivered to a Chinese carrier an A320 Family aircraft assembled in China.

The delivery marked the 50th aircraft assembled by the Airbus A320 Family Final Assembly Line in China (FALC), the France-based company said Wednesday.

The 50th Airbus A320 Family assembled in China was handed over to Juneyao Airlines, a Shanghai-based privately owned airline, at Airbus' Tianjin Delivery Center, Airbus said in a statement.

"The 50th delivery is a major milestone for FALC. Airbus will continue providing the best products and services to its Chinese customers." said Laurence Barron, president of Airbus China.

The FALC is a joint venture between Airbus and a Chinese consortium that includes the Tianjin Free Trade Zone (TJFTZ) and China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC).

The first delivery of a FALC assembled A320 Family aircraft was to Sichuan Airlines in 2009. So far, 50 A320 Family aircraft, of which seven are A319s and 43 A320s, have been delivered in Tianjin to nine Chinese Airlines.

Juneyao operates two A319s and 17 A320s.