Groundwork has started on a wing assembly facility for Airbus 320 aircraft in the northern municipality of Tianjin, the project operator confirmed Friday.

The operator, Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Co., Ltd., which is part of the China Aviation Industry Group, said the plant would open in mid-October. The facility is near the A320 assembly base in the Binhai New Area of Tianjin.

The Xi'an company became the first A320 wing supplier outside Europe in early February, when it signed an agreement with Airbus.

Six A320s are being assembled at the base, which is a major cooperative project between China and Europe. The first plane is scheduled for delivery in June.

(Xinhua News Agency March 13, 2009)