An A320 final assembly line of the world aircraft giant Airbus, the first of its kind built out of Europe, was officially inaugurated on Sunday in the north China metropolis of Tianjin.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Airbus Chief Executive Officer Thomas Enders attended the inauguration ceremony.

The line, a joint venture between Airbus and Tianjin Zhongtian Aviation Industry Investment Co., was built in just 15 months. The first A320 plane it assembles is expected to be completed by summer 2009, company sources said.

With a total estimated investment of 8 billion to 10 billion yuan (US$1.04 to US$1.3 billion), the line will be able to assemble 44 aircraft a year by 2011, the sources added.

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2008)