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Airbus’ A220 manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama. Credit: Tad Denson - Airwind, Inc.

Airbus has started manufacturing of the A220 aircraft at its production facility in Mobile, Alabama, US.

The first team commenced work following their recent return from on-the-job training (OJT) in Quebec, Canada, where the A220 programme and primary final assembly line are located.

Airbus Americas chairman and CEO C. Jeffrey Knittel said: “The expansion of our commercial aircraft production in Mobile to a second product line – with 400 additional jobs to support it – further solidifies Airbus’ standing as a truly global aircraft manufacturer, and confirms without a doubt that Airbus is an important part of America’s manufacturing landscape.

“With Mobile, and our production network in Asia, Canada and Europe, we have strategically created a worldwide industrial base to better serve our customers.”

Plans to build the A220 in the Mobile-based facility were initially announced in October 2017.

In January, Airbus began the construction of its A220 aircraft manufacturing facility at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, which includes the construction of flowline hangar and other support buildings.

Situated near the Airbus A320 Family production line, the facility will facilitate the assembly of A220-100 and A220-300 aircraft for US customers.

The first US-made A220 aircraft, namely the A220-300, is scheduled to be delivered to the company’s first US customer Delta Air Lines in the third quarter of next year.

The facility is expected to annually produce between 40 and 50 A220 aircraft by the middle of the next decade.

Airbus said that it has longstanding ties to the US, with the company’s aircraft being operated by the largest airlines in America. It is also a major partner of US aerospace companies.

During the last three years, the company has purchased $48bn of components and materials from American suppliers and supports more than 275,000 jobs in the US.