Governor Bentley Visits Airbus, Receives Update on Production

MONTGOMERY—Governor Robert Bentley on Tuesday toured the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, met some of the production team members and received an update on the projected production rate. By 2018, the Alabama manufacturing facility is expected to produce 40 to 50 A320 family aircraft per year, supporting around 1,000 jobs. Airbus has delivered 23 aircraft thus far, which includes the following: 15 American Airlines, 4 Delta Air Lines, 3 Spirit Airlines, and 1 JetBlue Airways.

“Airbus’ Alabama manufacturing facility is producing more than planes — it’s also producing new opportunities that are enriching the lives of the company’s workforce, and benefiting their families and their communities,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “Alabama has an extensive history in aerospace which is richly diverse. Today I was honored to meet the men women who are dedicated to helping shape Alabama’s aerospace future.”

The facility currently houses more than 360 employees, many with ties to Alabama: 57% are Mobile-area natives, and several are from the Gulf coast area including Mississippi and Florida. Approximately 30% are military veterans.

“Airbus was pleased to host Governor Bentley at our A320 Family production facility today, and to show him the state-of-the-art facility we have established in South Alabama,” said Guy Hicks, Vice President-Government Affairs for Airbus Americas. “We are proud to be a part of the manufacturing community growing quickly in the state. For more than a decade, the State of Alabama has worked hand-in-hand with Airbus, and together we are designing, engineering, building and maintaining some of the greatest aircraft in the world.”

AIDT’s mission is to provide quality workforce development for Alabama’s new and expanding businesses, and has been a valuable partner and supporter of Airbus throughout the recruitment and training journey. In addition to pre-employment training and recruitment, AIDT also conducts ongoing post-employment training for Airbus employees at the $6 million, 35,000-square-foot training facility at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley.

“AIDT’s role can’t be overstated,” Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce Greg Canfield said. “AIDT was a key component of the decision that led Airbus to Alabama in the first place.”

Aircraft assembly began in Mobile in July 2015, and the first aircraft was delivered in April 2016. The Airbus complex represents a $600 million investment.

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