"Welcome on board" This Airbus is Made In China!

Airbus delivered its first China-assembled A320, part of a joint venture that could help the plane-maker take more market share from its American arch-rival.

The aircraft, one of the firm's A320 mid-range models, was unveiled at a ceremony at the firm's factory outside the northern Chinese city of Tianjin. The plane has been delivered to leasing firm Dragon Aviation, and will be used by Chinese carrier Sichuan Airlines.

The Airbus A320, which was assembled at a plant in Tianjin that is 49%-owned by a Chinese consortium, will be delivered to a leasing company and eventually put into service by Sichuan Airlines. Airbus' Chinese plant will now delivery a further nine planes by the end of this year, with production expected to increase to four aircraft per month before the end of 2011.