The new assembly line, which is the company’s
first U.S.-based production facility, will be
located at the Mobile Brookley Aeroplex and will
facilitate assembly of A319, A320 and A321
aircraft. 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.
EADS CEO Tom Enders helped lead the celebrations
and welcomed more than 1,000 attendees including
many EADS and other Airbus executives, state and
national dignitaries, industry officials and the
local community. In a twist from typical
groundbreaking ceremonies, officials and
dignitaries introduced various members of the
Gulf Coast community and aviation industry who
spoke about how the new assembly line is not
just about making airplanes, but the substantial
positive impact it will make in the lives of
thousands of people like themselves.
Local community representatives included: Henry
Hinojosa, Project Superintendent with Hoar
Program Management represented the local
construction industry; Liz Freeman, co-owner of
Long’s Human Resource Services represented local
small businesses; Victoria Corob, an eighth
grader in Mobile; and Dr. Keivan Deravi,
Professor of Economics at Auburn University
Montgomery. Industry speakers included Clay
Jones, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Collins and
Dave Barger, President and CEO of JetBlue
Airways.
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