Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Really Great News for Alabama!

Airbus has announced that it will build an aircraft assembly factory for A320s in Mobile.  It will be located on this site of the old Brookley AFB. This gives Alabama another role in aerospace; and gives another high tech presence in our state's economy.

The plane’s direct competitor is Boeing’s 737, manufactured in Renton, Wash.

The agreement to build an assembly line in Mobile is the result of a seven-year on-again, off-again campaign by Alabama to build an assembly line for its larger A330 as part of a bid for a $35 billion U.S. Air Force contract for aerial fueling tankers.  However, it was awarded to Boeing last year.  Boeing was trying to keep the Airbus competition out of expanding into the U.S. market.  And, of course, Boeing is located in Seattle. 

Airbus officials said the Mobile plant should help them win additional orders from U.S. airlines.

Thank you, Airbus.  Kiss our red asses, Boeing and Seattle!  We can built aircraft too.

4 comments:

  1. That is great news. As I recall, Mobile had a contract to build tankers for the Air Force, but some unprintable so-and-sos got it reconsidered in favor of Boeing.

    I wondered at the time if it was because Alabama was a red stste, but that might be creeping paranoia.

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  2. Mobile is a delightful city, and so close to the Gulf Coast! I'm glad that Alabamians will be getting some of the high-paying jobs with the economic recovery.

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  3. Where are all the parts being manufactured? Hopefully in the US also.

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  4. I'm glad Alabama got the Airbus contract.

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