Airbus to use Tianjin as delivery hub

But more importantly, Chinese companies are also bidding to become suppliers to Airbus' first US-based production facility. Airbus started constructing the $600-million A320 final assembly line in the US state of Alabama, in April 2013, with aircraft assembly scheduled to begin in 2015 and the first delivery targeted for 2016.

Two local Chinese suppliers in Tianjin have won contracts for the project. Seven (Tianjin) Industrial Co Ltd has won the contract to supply wooden box packages to the factory in Alabama. Tianjin Saixiang Technology Co Ltd will supply transportation jigs and tools for the project.

"The US contract will have a positive effect on our business performance for the next two to three years," said Zhu Hongguang, board secretary of Saixiang.

China COSCO Logistics Co Ltd, the logistics supplier in the Tianjin factory, is also bidding to provide logistics services for the US project, said Gonzalez-Ripoll.

"Chinese companies are well positioned to get contracts or subcontracts for the final assembly line in Alabama as they have proved they are efficient suppliers with a competitive offer. It is a window of opportunity for our Chinese suppliers," said Gonzalez-Ripoll.

Airbus is expected to see its industrial turnover in China to reach $500 million next year as scheduled and is ambitious about increasing that to $1 billion by 2020, said the COO. The industrial turnover includes subcontracting of aircraft components from Chinese companies and revenues generated at Airbus' four joint ventures in China.

Gonzalez-Ripoll said Airbus will enhance subcontracting in China through developing new projects, in particular in the field of cabin interiors.

"Currently most of the cabin interior suppliers are from the US and Europe. But we know there are capabilities in China," Gonzalez-Ripoll said, without disclosing names of suppliers Airbus is talking with.

Hubei Ali Jiatai Aircraft Equipment Co Ltd, a subsidiary of AVIC, was awarded BFE (buyer furnished equipment) certificate by The Boeing Co last year. The Chinese company is now a seat supplier of limited offerability for the US-based aircraft manufacturer.

China signs deal for 70 Airbus SAS aircraft	China Eastern Airlines orders 70 Airbus planes