Airbus spillover discussed

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Airbus assembly line in Mobile will have an impact across Alabama and the Southeast through new suppliers, new jobs and new business for the state's existing industrial base. That’s according to Allan McArtor, chairman of Airbus Americas Inc., who was keynote speaker Friday at a Birmingham Business Alliance luncheon. McArtor said Birmingham is well within the supply-chain radius for the plant. Airbus will build a $600 million, 1,000-job aircraft assembly plant in Mobile that will produce the A320 family of jets. McArtor also said there's potential for Airbus to collaborate with Alabama's universities. (Sources: al.com, link, Birmingham Business Journal, 11/09/10)