Breaking: Coronavirus: Airbus closes China plant

Aircraft manufacturer on Wednesday announced that the Airbus has closed its aircraft production facility in Tianjin, near Beijing, which is capital of China, due to coronavirus.

According to a statement by Airbus, “China domestic and worldwide travel restrictions are posing some logistical challenges. The Tianjin Final Assembly Line facility is currently closed.”

The Tianjin facility, the first of its kind for Airbus outside Europe, is a completion centre for single-aisle A320 aircraft and can also handle the larger A330.

Tianjin is a port city 150 kilometres close to Beijing. Airbus did not indicate when the centre might reopen.

“Airbus is constantly evaluating the situation and monitoring any potential knock-on effects to production and deliveries and will try to mitigate via alternative plans where necessary.

“Airbus will provide updates as the situation evolves,” the company added.

More than 25, 000 people have been infected with coronavirus in mainland China and it have been confirmed in more than 20 countries.

The coronavirus outbreak has prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency, many governments to impose travel restrictions and airlines to suspend flights to and from the country.