HERNDON, VA--(Marketwired - Feb 11, 2014) - The North American operations of Airbus Group's military aircraft unit today opened a new 7,500-square-foot component repair facility located at the Mobile (Ala.) Regional Airport.
The expansion of the new component repair facility is yet another industrial resource to improve customer service for the company's medium and light multi-mission aircraft operators. The new services include hydraulic, avionics, composite and structural repairs, painting, component exchange and highly skilled engineering support.
"Airbus Group's North American military aircraft business has continually increased its capabilities to improve the maintenance of the U.S. fleet with spare parts support, state of the art maintenance, and engineering and technical support services," said Sean O'Keefe, Chairman and CEO of Airbus Group, Inc.
"This new facility will further reduce turnaround time, increase price competitiveness and enhance customer satisfaction," said O'Keefe.
"It's an exciting time to be in Southwest Alabama, with great businesses like Airbus Group realizing our potential and bringing good-paying jobs to our home," said U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-1).
"I welcome Airbus Group's continued investment in Mobile, and as a Member of the House Armed Services Committee I am excited to see this facility in our community supporting our Coast Guard assets. I look forward to working with Airbus to continue this mutually beneficial relationship," said Byrne.
"The Airbus Group's repair facility at the Mobile Regional Airport is a tremendous asset for our community and for the U.S. military customers it serves," said Sandy Stimpson, Mayor of Mobile.
"The expansion demonstrates Airbus' confidence in Mobile and in their local work force. We welcome this investment as another indication of the outstanding partnership between Airbus and the City of Mobile," said Stimpson.
Since 1984, Airbus Group's North American military aircraft business has provided its customers with service based on the most stringent quality standards. The business is located in Mobile, Ala. to be closer to the unit's largest customer in the U.S., the United States Coast Guard.
The company's Mobile operation was expanded in October 2009 to become Airbus Group's military aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul delivery center in the U.S. This 30,000 square-foot 45-person facility provides American operators of the C212 and CN235 tactical transports with the capabilities of a certified FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency repair station as well as direct support from the aircraft manufacturer.
Some capabilities at the repair facility may support the Airbus A320 Family assembly line, currently under construction in Mobile. This is the first major manufacturing facility for Airbus in the United States, and represents a $600 million investment in the Gulf Coast region. The Mobile assembly line will ultimately employ 1,000 highly skilled workers and is scheduled to deliver its first aircraft in 2016.
About Airbus Group, Inc.
Airbus Group, Inc., formerly EADS North America Holdings, Inc., is the U.S.-based operation of Airbus Group, a global leader in aerospace, defense, space and related services. Airbus Group contributes more than $14 billion to the U.S. economy annually and supports over 225,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers. Airbus Group, Inc., headquartered in Herndon, Va., offers a broad array of advanced solutions to meet U.S. military and commercial requirements, including fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, homeland security systems, public safety communications, defense electronics and avionics, and threat detection systems.
About Airbus Group
Airbus Group is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. In 2012, the Group -- comprising Airbus, Airbus Defense and Space, and Airbus Helicopters -- generated revenues of EUR 56.5 billion and employed a workforce of over 140,000.
