MOBILE, ALABAMA– Airbus has inaugurated its second A320 Final Assembly Line (FAL) at its U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, marking a major step in expanding production capacity for the A320 Family aircraft. The new line doubles the site’s A320 output and strengthens Airbus’ industrial footprint in the United States.
The milestone event gathered Airbus executives, employees, public officials, and partners to celebrate the company’s growing role in American aerospace manufacturing and its continued investment in Alabama’s economy.
Airbus 2nd A320 Final Assembly Line in Mobile
The new A320 Final Assembly Line adds 350,000 square feet of advanced manufacturing, logistics, and office space at the Mobile facility.
With this expansion, Airbus now operates three final assembly lines at the site—two dedicated to the A320 Family and one to the A220. This investment supports the company’s global production goal of 75 A320 Family aircraft per month by 2027.
According to Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, the Mobile expansion reflects Airbus’ strategy to maintain a globally balanced industrial network. By building aircraft closer to its North American customers, the company enhances supply chain efficiency and reduces delivery timelines.
Since the opening of its first U.S. A320 line in 2015, Airbus has delivered more than 600 aircraft to customers across the U.S. and Latin America. The Mobile facility has tripled in size, underscoring the steady rise in demand for fuel-efficient, narrowbody aircraft.
Strengthening Alabama’s Aerospace Industry
The expansion introduces more than one million square feet of new infrastructure, including double-bay hangars for A320 operations, quad-bay hangars for A220 production, new paint shops, and a modern distribution and delivery center.
Airbus also announced the creation of 1,000 additional jobs, effectively doubling its U.S. manufacturing workforce.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commended Airbus’ continued investment, emphasizing the state’s position as a competitive hub for aerospace manufacturing. The company’s growth in Mobile reinforces Alabama’s status as a top destination for aviation industry development.
A Lasting Impact on the U.S. Economy
Airbus now employs over 2,000 people across 2.5 million square feet of space at the Mobile site alone and more than 6,000 nationwide.
Through partnerships with over 2,000 U.S. suppliers in 40 states, Airbus supports more than 275,000 American jobs and contributes approximately $15 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
The A320 and A220 aircraft families remain among the most sought-after models globally, known for their efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and operational flexibility. With this expansion, Airbus strengthens its long-term commitment to American manufacturing and global sustainability goals.
Airbus A320: The Aircraft Family of Choice
As the undisputed leader in the single-aisle category, the Airbus A320 Family has become the aircraft of choice for airlines worldwide—from low-cost carriers to full-service operators and has recently overtaken Boeing to become best-selling aircraft in the world.
The A320 features the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky, offering 18-inch-wide economy seats and a spacious, comfortable passenger experience from boarding to landing.
The A320 Family includes several models—A319, A320, A321, and the next-generation A320neo Family—offering unmatched flexibility for operators. Its versatility allows airlines to match aircraft size to route demand, efficiently covering short-haul, medium-haul, and even long-range transcontinental routes.
Innovation and Efficiency: The A320neo Advantage
The A320neo (New Engine Option) Family represents a major leap in performance and sustainability.
Equipped with advanced turbofan engines—either the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ or the CFM LEAP-1A—along with Airbus’ fuel-saving Sharklets™, the A320neo delivers up to 20% lower fuel burn compared to previous-generation models.
The aircraft also offers increased flight range and payload capacity, helping airlines optimize operations while reducing emissions.
The long-range A321LR variant can fly up to 4,000 nautical miles, while the A321XLR extends this range to 4,700 nautical miles, with a flight time of up to 11 hours—enabling direct routes between continents.
Designed for Comfort and Sustainability
The A320 Family integrates Airbus’ award-winning Airspace interior—originally developed for the A350 and A330 widebody jets. The cabin features redesigned sidewalls, larger windows, improved lighting, and larger overhead bins that hold up to eight carry-on bags.
The aircraft’s aerodynamics and lighter composite materials further enhance fuel efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions, making the A320neo Family one of the most environmentally friendly options in commercial aviation.
Commonality and Operational Flexibility
The A320 Family pioneered fly-by-wire controls and cockpit commonality, allowing pilots to transition easily between Airbus aircraft types through Common Type Rating and Cross Crew Qualification. This flexibility benefits airlines by simplifying crew scheduling and reducing training costs.
The aircraft’s Cargo Loading System (CLS) also improves ground efficiency by allowing faster handling of luggage and freight, thanks to outward-opening cargo doors and optimized storage capacity.
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