The second US-Built Airbus A321 (N894AN / MSN 6621) has been delivered today to American Airlines in a ceremony held at the company’s premises in Mobile, Alabama. On hand for the occasion were executives from Airbus and American Airlines and representatives of the more than 350 employees at the facility.The Mobile Final Assembly Line is dedicated to the production of Airbus narrowbodies for customers in North America. So far, only A321 with the Current Engine Option (CEO), will be assembled in the foreseeable future (five for American Airlines and one for Spirit), and it will begin transitioning to New Engine Option (NEO) derivatives in late 2017.
“The relationship between American Airlines and Airbus is a long and successful collaboration to provide the most modern, fuel-efficient aircraft for both of our customers.” said Bob Lekites, Executive Vice President-Customers, Airbus Americas. The DFW-based carrier currently operates the world’s largest Airbus fleet, and boasts the largest A321 fleet as well. Airbus expects to increase the production rate to 52 aircraft per month by 2018, and to 60 aircraft before 2020, supported by its final production lines in Germany, France, China, and the Alabama assembly line in the United States.
News & Image Sources: Internet.