Summary

  • JetBlue receives A321 from Airbus team in Mobile, Alabama
The first ever delivery of an aircraft from the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility took place today, April 25th, in Mobile, Alabama. The entire team of employees from the American assembly line gathered to present their very first completed product, an Airbus A321, to JetBlue. On hand for the occasion were executives from Airbus, JetBlue senior management, including President and CEO Robin Hayes, and a broad collection of dignitaries from the Gulf Coast region.
“I am immensely proud to be here to participate in this first delivery from Mobile,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “Going from breaking ground on this facility three years ago to handing over the first Alabama-produced A321 today is an amazing accomplishment. It’s a testament to how well executed this project was and how strong the teamwork has been here in Mobile and throughout Airbus. The Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility has brought together all the best aspects of our other assembly lines around the world, and it shows how Airbus people work hand in hand with our partners to deliver great aircraft to our customers.”
Airbus announced its commitment to build a single-aisle assembly line in Mobile, Alabama in 2012, and less than one year later, broke ground on the $600 million (U.S.) facility. The ceremonial inauguration of the plant came in September 2015. The aircraft delivered today, a JetBlue A321, successfully had its first flight on March 21st, 2016. 
In addition to the JetBlue A321 delivered today, there are currently nine other A320 Family aircraft in production at the facility. Airbus anticipates delivering four aircraft per month from the Mobile plant by the end of 2017. The initial deliveries will all be A320 Family aircraft with the Current Engine Option (CEO), but will begin transitioning to New Engine Option (NEO) derivatives in late 2017.
In addition to hundreds of new Airbus jobs the project has brought to the local community, the Mobile area has seen many Airbus suppliers open new facilities in the region, providing even more employment and a parallel boost to the local economy. Airbus is proud to boast that 87 percent of its new employees are from the Gulf Coast region, with nearly one third being U.S. military veterans.
Demonstrating the adage “The Sun Never Sets on Airbus” – Airbus aircraft are now produced around the clock, 24 hours a day, at facilities in: Mobile, Alabama; Hamburg, Germany; Toulouse, France; and Tianjin, China.
Team in front of the first A321 delivery from Mobile to Jetblue

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U.S.-based JetBlue received the first aircraft – an A321 – to be delivered from the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama

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On 25 April 2016, Airbus delivered its first-ever aircraft produced at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility. The A321 jetliner was received by U.S.-based JetBlue

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JetBlue Airways amended its purchase agreement to include an additional 15 A321ceo (current engine option) and 15 A321neo (new engine option) aircraft

First A321 delivery from Mobile to Jetblue - ambiance

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Approximately 90 percent of the highly skilled employees of Airbus’ Mobile, Alabama-based A320 Family final assembly line are from the U.S. Gulf Coast region, with nearly one-third being U.S. military veterans

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The marching band and cheerleading squad from the University of South Alabama helped bring a festive atmosphere as the company marked its first delivery from the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility

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As part of an American football theme, cheerleaders from the University of South Alabama perform during the delivery ceremony of Airbus’ first U.S.-built aircraft, which was an A321 received by JetBlue

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An international team: Airbus’ newest A320 Family final assembly line – located in Mobile, Alabama – brings together the skills and expertise from across the company’s global production network, including sites in France, Germany, China, the U.K and Spain

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