Mobile, Alabama Selected by Airbus as Site for Final Assembly Line

MOBILE, Ala. (July 2, 2012) – Partners in Team Mobile – working for more than seven years to bring Airbus here – celebrated the news that Mobile, Ala., would become the only site in the western hemisphere assembling Airbus aircraft. During an announcement held today in downtown Mobile, Airbus executives announced a $600 million investment at Brookley Aeroplex, and the creation of 1,000 jobs.

According to Airbus, the facility in Mobile will assemble the industry-leading family of A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. The company said construction of the assembly line will begin in summer 2013. Aircraft assembly is planned to start in 2015, with first deliveries from the Mobile facility beginning in 2016. Airbus anticipates the facility will produce between 40 and 50 aircraft per year by 2018.

“It has been a long road, a lot of work, but we’re elated to bring this project to reality in Mobile,” said city of Mobile Mayor Sam Jones. “(Airbus’) efforts have resulted in a victory for our city today and well into the future.”

“This is a real game changer for Mobile County and the whole region,” said County Commission President Connie Hudson. “Mobile joins very select company as one of just a few communities in the world capable of manufacturing high-tech, large commercial aircraft. We couldn't be more proud of this development, more thankful to Airbus for their partnership, or more excited for the future.”

“This shows the value of developing and maintaining relationships for the long term,” said Troy Wayman, vice president of economic development for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. “Team Mobile did not give up after the tanker project went away and EADS and Airbus never gave up on Mobile.”

The project has two phases – a final assembly line where aircraft parts from around the world will be delivered to the Brookley Aeroplex site for assembly, and a delivery center – similar to a showroom – where assembled planes will be delivered to its new owners.

To meet the company’s aggressive plan, Wayman said there are a number of suppliers who will need to locate within close proximity to the facility.

Team Mobile – dubbed by EADS officials – has worked with the company on various projects over the last six years, including the Airbus Engineering Center at Brookley Aeroplex with more than 200 engineers and support staff, and Airbus Military NA at Mobile Regional Airport, supporting U.S. Coast Guard aircraft.

The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the economic developer of record for the city of Mobile and Mobile County, has worked on recruiting EADS North America to Mobile since 2005, including time spent on the tanker competition.

Team Mobile worked for several years on a failed bid as the site location for EADS to build tankers for the U.S. Air Force, as recently as February 2011. Throughout these years, the relationship between Team Mobile and executives with Airbus and its parent company EADS remained mutually-beneficial, said Wayman.

Team Mobile includes the city of Mobile, Mobile County, the Mobile Airport Authority, the Alabama State Port Authority and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.