Ground broken for A220 plant

MOBILE, Ala. - Fireworks were set off Wednesday morning after the ceremonial groundbreaking for the $300 million A220 final assembly line at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley. About 700 people were on hand for the invitation-only event north of the current A320 assembly line. Work is already underway on the site that will eventually produce four A220 passenger jets every month. The first delivery is expected in 2020. Dignitaries on hand for the event included Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and Airbus CEO Tom Enders. The A220 is the smallest member of the Airbus line of passenger jets and is the former Bombardier CSeries. Airbus took over majority interest in the program under an Airbus/Bombardier partnership. Airbus is already seeking workers for the new assembly line, and is also expanding its A320 workforce. In total, the company expects to hire some 600 new employees over the next 18 months. (Source: GCRL, 01/16/19) Previous: Airbus posts first jobs for A220 line; A220 incentives detailed; Two airlines order A220s; Airbus Mobile delivers 100th jetliner