American airlines JetBlue has taken delivery of the first Airbus aircraft manufactured in the US.
In 2012, Airbus announced its plan to build a single-aisle assembly line in Mobile, Alabama, and less than one year later, started construction with a $600m investment.
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Last September, the plant was officially opened and the newly delivered A321 made its first flight last month from the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley in Mobile, Alabama.
Airbus customers chief operating officer John Leahy said: "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 US 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."
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By GlobalDataCurrently nine more A320 family aircraft are in production at the Airbus facility in the US.
Airbus expects to deliver four aircraft a month from the Mobile plant by the end of next year, with initial deliveries for all A320 family jets with the current engine option (CEO).
However, the company will start transitioning to new engine option (NEO) derivatives by late next year.
The Airbus’ Mobile facility employs 87% of its new employees from the Gulf Coast region, with around a third being US military veterans.
Apart from Mobile, Airbus currently has facilities in Hamburg, Germany; Toulouse, France; and Tianjin, China.
Image: JetBlue receives A321 from Airbus team in Mobile, Alabama, US. Photo: courtesy of Airbus.
