Sichuan Airlines will be operating the first China-assembled A320

Airbus delivered its first China-assembled A320 jet on Tuesday in north China's port city of Tianjin, the base of the manufacturer's only final assembly line outside Europe.

The plane was delivered to Beijing-based Dragon Aviation Leasing, which will lease it to Sichuan Airlines for operation.

The aircraft had conducted a successful four-hour test flight on May 18 from the Tianjin Binhai International Airport.

"Our final assembly line here in Tianjin and this first aircraft delivery outside Europe mark an important milestone in our strategic long-term partnership with China and the Chinese industry," said Thomas Enders, Airbus president and CEO, at the delivery ceremony.

Enders said the A320 planes assembled in Tianjin shared the same standards as those made in Europe.

Tianjin Mayor Huang Xingguo said the progress proved the settlement of the Airbus project in Tianjin was a right choice of strategic significance and a good example of successful cooperation between China and Europe.

The second A320 plane assembled by the Tianjin plant conducted a successful test flight Monday afternoon, according to Jean Luc Charles, general manager of the Airbus (Tianjin) Final Assembly Line Co.,Ltd.