CHECKLIST: Alabama air show missions boost aerospace sector
It’s no wonder that Alabama has sent a top-level economic development team to the major air shows in Europe for many years. The annual trips to aerospace trade events Paris and London have set the stage for growth in an industry important to the state’s future. The Paris Air Show, which begins this week, and…
Gov. Ivey announces creation of Alabama Aviation Education Center in Mobile
MONTGOMERY — Governor Kay Ivey announced plans today to create the Alabama Aviation Education Center, a hands-on instructional facility to be located near the Airbus aircraft manufacturing facility in Mobile that aims to bolster Alabama’s workforce development efforts and inspire young people to pursue careers in the state’s growing aerospace cluster. The Aviation Education Center,…
TEAM PLAYER: Alabama-made Airbus A321 to make Iron Bowl flyover
MOBILE, Alabama — Airbus said today that an Alabama-built A321 will perform a flyover at Saturday’s Iron Bowl match-up in Tuscaloosa. The aircraft, destined for delivery to Delta Air Lines next month, is scheduled to fly over Bryant-Denny Stadium following the National Anthem and prior to kick-off, which is currently scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday.…
Airbus Alabama ‘double milestone’ as Spirit claims its first aircraft
MOBILE, Alabama – An A321 wearing the bright yellow of Spirit Airlines was delivered to Spirit employees today during a ceremony that marked a “double milestone” for the Airbus Alabama operation. The aircraft was the 10th produced at Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Mobile and the first delivered to Florida-based Spirit Airlines, a major customer. Spirit…
Airbus links with Alabama universities to build new leaders
One of the ways Airbus is putting down roots in Alabama is through partnerships with local universities that aim to help shape the next generation of industry leaders. The aerospace giant has donated large airplane components to engineering departments at the University of South Alabama and Auburn University for students and faculty members to use…
Rich in history, Alabama aerospace industry climbing to new heights
The Alabama aerospace industry first took flight with the Wright Brothers and later flew to the moon with NASA’s Saturn V rocket. It has has now added passenger jet assembly and next-generation manufacturing technologies to a wide array of capabilities. With industry officials gathered in London for the Farnborough International Airshow, it’s time to take…
Airbus Alabama facility primes for production ramp-up
Now that the first Alabama-made airplanes are rolling off the assembly line at the Airbus manufacturing plant in Mobile and taking to the skies, the big question is: What’s next? Plenty. In fact, the global plane maker has only just begun to make its mark on Mobile and Alabama, according to business leaders and market…
Four trends lifting Alabama aerospace industry to new altitudes
One day last month, a barge floated along the Tennessee River toward NASA’s Alabama hub, the Marshall Space Flight Center. On board was a key piece of hardware for the agency’s Space Launch System, its new deep space exploration rocket. The hardware – fabricated at the United Launch Alliance rocket plant a few miles away…
Gov. Bentley to head Alabama team at Farnborough Airshow
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Governor Robert Bentley is leading an Alabama delegation that includes top economic development specialists to the Farnborough International Airshow near London next week for meetings aimed at fueling additional growth in the state’s aerospace sector. Governor Bentley and a small working team from the Alabama Department of Commerce will join recruiters and government…
American Airlines gets its first Alabama-made Airbus A321
MOBILE, Alabama — American Airlines today claimed its first Alabama-made Airbus A321 passenger jet after a ceremony at the manufacturer’s production facility at Mobile Aeroplex. The A321 sporting American’s logo and colors is the second aircraft to leave the assembly line at Airbus’ new $600 million Alabama plant. The first – named “BluesMobile” — went…
