The global aircraft maker is adding a third final assembly line, increasing production, and doubling its footprint and its workforce in Mobile — all to meet a worldwide demand
There are only three basic concerns at Airbus in Mobile these days beyond making the popular A320/321 and A220 jets its known for — build additional facilities that more than double the company’s footprint here; equip them with all the required jigs and tools for a major manufacturing program; and find another 1,200 or more employees when the state’s at nearly full employment.
All in a time of snarled supply chains and inflationary increases to costs.
But Daryl Taylor is upbeat about it.
“We are blessed to have certainly the most successful commercial aircraft in history,” says Taylor, who is vice president and general manager of Airbus’ Final Assembly Line USA.
The worldwide company has an order backlog for more than 6,000 of the single-aisle A320/321 aircraft. Globally, the company has been producing 64 aircraft a month. In an earnings call with investors in April, CEO Guillaume Faury announced plans to increase the rate to 75 a month by 2025 or 2026.
