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Airbus Groundbreaking Held, Hundreds Of New Jobs
April 9, 2013
Airbus manufacturing in the United States advanced another step closer to reality Monday in Mobile with a groundbreaking to signal the start of construction of the company’s A320 Family Assembly Line.
At a capacity-crowd event attended by approximately 2,000 invitees, area residents and others, the final assembly line’s creation was hailed as a “game-changing” development in Airbus’ relationship with the United States – where it already is the largest export partner for the country’s aerospace industry.
Outlining the new facility’s significance were guest speakers that ranged from the top executives of a major U.S. A320 airline operator and a key avionics supplier for Airbus to a young Mobile student who spoke about opportunities in her community that will be created with the final assembly line.
Victoria Corob, a student at Clark-Shaw Magnet School in Mobile, spoke about the aspirations that many young people in the U.S Gulf Coast region may be able to realize as the result of Airbus’ new A320 facility. “Airbus’ growth here means that, if I keep working hard, I can achieve my dreams and might even be able to look forward to a future with an exciting and rewarding aerospace career…right here in Alabama,” she said.
JetBlue Airways CEO and President David Barger gave his perspective on how Airbus’ $600 million investment in the new Alabama industrial site is viewed by its U.S. customers: “It demonstrates the level of Airbus’ commitment of being close to its important American operator base for A320 aircraft.” He also announced that JetBlue will receive the very first A320 from the Mobile final assembly line – which is targeted for delivery in 2016.
The new Mobile final assembly line not only provides a strategically-located industrial facility in North America and a new aviation center of excellence for the U.S. Gulf Coast region, it also will generate increased work throughout the Airbus production and its worldwide supply chain.
The Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce is currently working to grow existing companies in the area, or lure new companies, that will act as suppliers for the Mobile plant.
“Because of the history that all of us along the Gulf Coast share together, we knew that Airbus was exactly the type of partner that we wanted on the Gulf Coast,” Florida Congressman Jeff Miller said. He said everyone will work together to make the plant a success not only for Airbus, but for the entire region.
“It represents the real transformation of Airbus into a truly global company,” said Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier in his concluding remarks at today’s groundbreaking. “While Airbus has deep European roots, we have always seen ourselves as citizens of the world.”
Major construction of the facility will begin this summer. Aircraft assembly is planned to begin in 2015, with first delivery of a Mobile-assembled aircraft in 2016. At full production, the assembly line and associated facilities would produce up to four aircraft a month which directly translates into employing as many as 1,000 high-skilled workers.
Pictured top: The ceremonial groundbreaking for Airbus’ U.S. A320 Family final assembly line Monday in Mobile. Pictured below: EADS CEO Tom Enders speaks at the ceremony. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
6 Responses to “Airbus Groundbreaking Held, Hundreds Of New Jobs”
Maybe there will be vendors in Pensacola that will receive orders in support of Airbus production requirments? Maybe a few people from Pensacola will find employment in the production processes?
We could use some of this here, in the 1st district.
A little out of your district, are you not Jeffery.
So excited for Airbus to come here!! There will be many many jobs created from this, as it will trickle down to many dealers in the area.
Mobile gets industrial jobs…Atmore gets dollar stores and fast food.
They all want a piece of the pie…..
Why would the Airbus facility need anything from the Pensacola area? Doesn’t Alabama have a lot of plants that supply car parts/electronic parts that will convert or add to the supply chain for the Airbus facility?