Media stop at AHI no accident

MOBILE, Ala. - Fireworks were set off Jan. 16 after the ceremonial groundbreaking for the $300M A220 aircraft final assembly line at the Mobile Aeroplex. About 700 people were on hand for the invitation-only event, which was held north of the current A320 assembly line. Work is already underway on the site that will eventually produce four A220 passenger jets every month. The first delivery is expected in 2020. With international attention turning to south Alabama for the major aerospace groundbreaking, the fact that a delegation of foreign and aviation-industry media stopped over at Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) in Columbus, Miss., on Jan. 15 was no accident. The group visit to the helicopter plant was part of a press tour organized by Airbus, a grand arc that started Monday in a Mirabel, Canada, plant where Airbus and Bombardier already build A220 jetliners. (Source: AL.com 01/16/19)