Airbus doubles capacity in Mobile with second A320 line in US
Subscribe to our free newsletter today to keep up to date with the latest manufacturing news.
Airbus has officially opened a second A320 final assembly line (FAL) at its manufacturing site in Mobile, Alabama. Inaugurated on October 13, 2025, the new line marks a significant expansion of the company’s US operations and doubles its A320 family aircraft production capacity at the site.
The expansion supports Airbus’ broader goal to reach a global production rate of 75 A320 family aircraft per month by 2027. According to Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer, the move reflects a strategy focused on industrial resilience, efficiency, and geographic diversification.
“This second A320 production line opening in the US marks another major milestone in our global industrial growth strategy,” Scherer said. “We believe in operating close to our American customers and partners.”
Since Airbus launched its first A320 line in Mobile in 2015, the site has delivered over 600 aircraft to customers in the US and Latin America. With the second A320 line, alongside an existing A220 line, the Mobile facility now spans over 2.5 million square feet and supports a workforce of more than 2,000.
Expansion details and manufacturing impact
The new final assembly line adds 350,000 square feet of dedicated manufacturing, logistics, and office space. The full project scope includes: double-bay hangars for A320 production, quad-bay hangars supporting A220 production, additional paint shops, a new distribution center, expanded delivery and transshipment areas, and a newly constructed welcome center.
These upgrades are expected to add around 1,000 new jobs, bringing the total site employment close to 3,000. The increased scale supports Airbus’ North American strategy to bring production closer to end users, particularly US-based carriers.
Governor Kay Ivey commented on the strategic value of the expansion: “The opening of the third final assembly line in Mobile further solidifies Alabama as a top state for aerospace manufacturing.”
Airbus’ Mobile facility is part of a larger network that supports 275,000 American jobs and includes over 2,000 US suppliers across 40 states. Annual Airbus spending with US suppliers exceeds $15 billion.
What this means for US manufacturing professionals
The expansion reflects broader trends in manufacturing and aerospace.
Reshoring and Regionalization: OEMs are reducing reliance on distant suppliers. Airbus’ decision to expand in the US aligns with industry-wide efforts to shorten supply chains and increase responsiveness to local markets.
Workforce and Skills Development: Adding 1,000 jobs will intensify demand for skilled labor in aerospace manufacturing. Airbus’ partnership with Flight Works Alabama and local training institutions aims to support a robust pipeline of talent.
Supply Chain Resilience: Building more components closer to final assembly reduces risk in logistics, customs, and trade friction. The expanded footprint positions Airbus to weather global supply shocks more effectively.
Digital Manufacturing Integration: Airbus continues to invest in private 5G networks and data-driven processes across its global sites, including Mobile. These technologies support predictive maintenance, digital twins, and real-time process control.
Strategic signals for the industry
Airbus’ Mobile investment is more than a capacity play, it’s a signal of long-term commitment to the US market. It also suggests a shift toward distributed manufacturing models, where regional hubs serve as anchors in a more flexible global system.
For manufacturing professionals, this move reinforces the importance of ecosystem thinking. Suppliers, logistics providers, workforce developers, and digital enablers are all part of what makes modern aerospace manufacturing competitive.
The expansion underscores that in a world of shifting demand and supply volatility, control, speed, and proximity increasingly define manufacturing advantage.
Sources: