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| The first US-built aircraft set for delivery to JetBlue. Photo: Airbus |
[Avionics Today 04-26-2016] The first delivery of an aircraft from the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility, an Airbus A321 for JetBlue, took place on April 25 in Mobile, Ala.
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 facility. The ceremonial inauguration of the plant came in September 2015. The aircraft had its first flight on March 21, 2016.
In addition to the delivered JetBlue A321, 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.