Airbus marks 5 years of aircraft production at Alabama facility

September 23, 2020

Words by Jerry Underwood

More stories in Manufacturing

MOBILE, Alabama – The Airbus manufacturing facility in Alabama has marked a significant milestone – five years of aircraft production in its growing U.S. industrial home.

The Airbus manufacturing center in Mobile began producing its first passenger jet — an A321 christened “BluesMobile” and destined for JetBlue — on Sept. 14, 2015.

Since then, the Alabama plant has delivered more than 180 A320 family aircraft to eight airline customers. These Alabama-made passenger jets have flown 60 million passengers 500 million miles, according to Airbus.

“When we announced our intent to build A320 family aircraft in the United States, and to locate that facility in Mobile, Alabama, we also stated our intent to be a good neighbor, to create jobs and opportunities, and to help strengthen the U.S. aerospace industry,” said C. Jeffrey Knittel, president & CEO of Airbus Americas.

Airbus workers wave flags from around the world as they celebrate the first customer delivery of an Alabama-made A321 aircraft at a 2016 ceremony at Mobile Aeroplex. (Image: Mobile Airport Authority, Igor Eilert)

In September 2020, Airbus marks five years of aircraft production at its only U.S. manufacturing center, located in Mobile, Alabama. (Image: Airbus)

“Five years later, we have become a major economic driver in creating an aerospace hub on the Gulf Coast,” he added.

EXPANDING PRESENCE

The Airbus facility at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley directly employs more than 1,000 people. Earlier this year, Airbus opened a second assembly line at the complex that produces A220 aircraft. The operation represents an investment of around $1 billion.

This month, the company announced that its newly expanded delivery center will be named after one of the company’s former leaders, Tom Enders. Enders supported and drove the establishment of an Airbus aircraft production facility in the U.S. during his tenure as CEO of Airbus.

“The achievements of the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing team over these past five years are just the beginning,” Knittel said.

“We are proud to call Mobile our American aircraft manufacturing home, and we look forward to many more years of partnership with the community, our customers and suppliers.”

In addition to the manufacturing facility, the company operates an Engineering Center at the Brookley complex. It also has a North American military customer services operation supporting U.S. Coast Guard aircraft located near the Mobile Regional Airport.

Our 5th anniversary of "Making it in Mobile!" A brief visual history of our manufacturing progress in one of our U.S. hometowns… @MobileChamber @ALcomMobile pic.twitter.com/h4tNGVfGWd

— Airbus in the U.S (@AirbusInTheUS) September 14, 2020

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