Airbus to double U.S. spending

WICHITA, Kan. -- European aerospace giant Airbus said it wants to double the $12 billion it spends with U.S. suppliers over the next 10 years. Airbus officials were at the Air Capital Supplier Summit Monday meeting with representatives from 114 companies. Airbus, which has an engineering center in Wichita, said it would hold a second summit somewhere in Kansas soon. The summit comes months after Airbus rival Boeing said it would close its Wichita plant. (Source: Wichita Eagle, 08/06/12) Gulf Coast note: Airbus announced last month that it would build a seven-building, 116-acre A320 assembly line in Mobile, Ala., at Brookley Aeroplex. Airbus also has an engineering center in Mobile. Previous: Boeing leaving Wichita; Airbus eyes Washington suppliers