JetBlue Congratulates Airbus on New American Plant
JetBlue Airbus A320
JetBlue is Largest A320 Operator in the World
JetBlue Airways yesterday congratulated Airbus for choosing Mobile, Alabama for its first U.S.-based A320 aircraft family production line.
“On behalf of JetBlue’s 14,000 crewmembers, I extend our congratulations to our business partner Airbus on today’s exciting announcement,” said Dave Barger, JetBlue Airways President and CEO. “JetBlue is the largest A320 operator in the world, and as an airline focused on serving the Americas, it’s wonderful to welcome production of this aircraft to our own shores. Airbus has always created jobs in America – first with helping to create 14,000 JetBlue crewmember positions, and now with this manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama.”
JetBlue supported yesterday’s announcement with a specially chartered A320 aircraft, flown from the airline’s Orlando focus city to Brookley Field.
JetBlue operates a fleet of 123 Airbus A320 aircraft, configured with 150 seats, offering the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch). JetBlue has 18 A320 aircraft on order through 2017, and 30 A321 aircraft scheduled for delivery starting in 2013.
In addition, last year JetBlue announced a new fleet order of 40 Airbus A320neo aircraft, with deliveries starting in 2018.
JetBlue
Category: Airnation
Wait… Airbus is manufacturing in the US now?? Who the hell thought that was a good idea?? WE PAY SALARIES HERE! Isn’t this why Airbus just started making parts in places like China?
I’d imagine these “US” built Airbus models will be like the Toyota’s built in Kentucky- avoid them!
I’m not really sure what the difference is going to be between making them here and in France or China to be honest. I bet they’re getting some serious tax breaks and subsidies to come here.
I just assumed it would be more expensive to make them here in the US, since the costs for disposing wastes and paying workers is higher than anywhere else in the world (cough China cough)…
‘I just assumed it would be more expensive to make them here in the US, since the costs for disposing wastes and paying workers is higher than anywhere else in the world (cough China cough)…’
Good point.
Maybe it is so they can escape punishment from the Chinese government for being in league with the EU carbon tax. In America they could show themselves as opposed to the EU and possibly get back their orders…
That’s a good point Shawn. I know they’ve been planning a plant *smile* in the US for awhile but that could have sped things up.