Airbus to Build A320 at First US Plant in Mobile, Alabama
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The Airbus plant in Mobile will cost a reported $600 million to build.
(© Courtesy of Airbus)
European airplane manufacturer Airbus announced today that it will build a plant in Mobile, Alabama for assembly and delivery of the A320 Family aircraft. Conceived as part of Airbus's strategy to heighten their global competitiveness, the Alabama facility will be the first in the US, the company reported, and will create around 1,000 jobs when it reaches full capacity.
Construction of the facility is slated for the summer of 2013, and Airbus announced that they will begin assembling the A319, A320 and A321 by 2015. When they are cranking out at full capacity, likely by 2018, the plant will produce 40 to 50 aircraft per year, according to Airbus.
“The time is right for Airbus to expand in America,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President & CEO at the announcement in Mobile. “The US is the largest single-aisle aircraft market in the world – with a projected need for 4,600 aircraft over the next 20 years – and this assembly line brings us closer to our customers.”
Despite not having any full-fledged factories stateside, there is an expanding Airbus presence in the US, not to mention a longstanding partnership between US suppliers and the company. The planned factory will be built in Mobile at the Brookley Aeroplex, where the aerospace giant already operates their Engineering Center in Mobile. In addition to this, Airbus employs more than 1,000 people in the US, located at a handful of smaller-scale operations across the country.
The facility in Mobile will be much larger, however. Airbus reportedly expects to spend $600 million to build it.
“This project will create 1,000 stable, well-paying jobs that the people of this area need and deserve,” said Alabama Governor Robert Bentley.
“Airbus,” said Governor Bentley, “has recognized all that this state can offer expanding industries, and the company is making a significant new investment in Alabama.”
