Airbus celebrated its 500th U.S.-built aircraft today at the company’s U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama, where it has been producing world-class aircraft in the southern Alabama city since 2015.
Airbus’ 500th aircraft made in Mobile, a Delta Air Lines A321neo, marked the latest production milestone since the company announced it would build a second A320 Family final assembly line in Mobile to increase Airbus’ global industrial capacity. The new final assembly line is currently under construction and will enter into service next year.
“This 500th aircraft milestone belongs to our Airbus employees. Their relentless passion and hard work made this achievement possible,” said Daryl Taylor, Senior Vice President of Commercial Aircraft Operations for Airbus in the U.S. “Our journey has also been supported every step of the way by our community, and by our customers who have put their trust in Airbus. We look forward to continuing to build safe, quality aircraft for our customers in the U.S. and Latin America.”
Since taking delivery of its first Mobile-produced A320 Family aircraft in 2016, Delta has added more than 130 U.S.-produced A320 and A220 Family aircraft to its fleet.
“Delta has been a part of many milestones at Airbus in Mobile, including taking delivery of the site’s 15th and 100th produced A320 family aircraft, and the first U.S.-built A220 aircraft. We are honored to welcome the 500th U.S.-built aircraft into the fleet,” said Kristen Bojko, Vice President-Fleet, Delta Air Lines. “We appreciate the ongoing partnership with Airbus and its team in Mobile who help us provide a premium travel experience on state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient aircraft assembled and delivered in the U.S.A.”
Airbus delivered its first A320 aircraft from its U.S. facility in 2016. In 2020, Airbus inaugurated its A220 final assembly line, and delivered its first A220 aircraft the same year.
“The continued growth we’ve seen in Mobile County throughout our decades-long partnership with Airbus started in 2002. Welcoming its Engineering Center in 2007, the arrival of its commercial manufacturing facility in 2013, and now witnessing its 500th aircraft has been nothing short of amazing,” Mobile County Commission President Randall Dueitt said.
“I’m so proud of the contribution Mobilians are making to bolster global air travel and help bring families together around the world. Congratulations to Airbus, and I look forward to many great milestones ahead.”
“Airbus has been a valued addition to the City of Mobile and a model employer where many local families have launched long rewarding careers with the worlds commercial aerospace manufacturing leader,” Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said. “Congratulations to everyone at Airbus for achieving this significant 500 aircraft milestone.”
Airbus has more than 2,400 employees across its aircraft production, engineering and U.S. Space & Defense facilities in the Port City. To support the company’s growing industrial capacity, some Airbus suppliers have started operations in the region, adding to the employment opportunities that have further strengthened the local economy.
Airbus is an essential part of the U.S. aerospace industry, making significant contributions to the American economy through its investments, employment and manufacturing. As the largest export customer of the U.S. aerospace industry, Airbus supports 275,000+ American jobs through its annual spending of $15 billion with more than 2,000 U.S. suppliers across 40 states. More than 5,000 employees work at Airbus in the U.S. where the company’s presence spans from corporate offices and innovation, engineering and training centers to robotics, manufacturing and maintenance repair overhaul facilities. In addition to its growing aircraft manufacturing operations in Alabama, Airbus assembles and retrofits civil and military helicopters in Mississippi and produces satellites in Florida.
Featured image credited to Airbus
