PARIS—Airbus has developed “connected glasses” for technicians to wear on the A330 final assembly line. The glasses enable precise positioning—down to the millimeter—during the cabin installation marking process, when operators designate the exact location where seats and cabin furnishings should be affixed inside the aircraft.
WASHINGTON—The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers this week opened an organizing office in Mobile, AL, to provide support for Airbus workers interested in forming a union at the company’s soon-to-be-completed final assembly line.
SANTA ANA, CA—Ascent Aerospace has been awarded a contract to design and build the final assembly station for the Airbus Beluga XL jet. The Beluga is an A330 modified to transport large aerostructure components from Airbus supplier facilities.
MOBILE, AL—The first major components for A320 airliners have arrived at Airbus’ new assembly plant here. Ulrich Weber, vice president of the factory, says airplane production will begin in July after the wings, stabilizers and fuselages move through testing stations.
MOBILE, AL—Airbus’ newly hired U.S. manufacturing employees arrived back home in Mobile May 31 after six or more months of training in Hamburg, Germany.
BLAGNAC, France—Airbus is poised to increase assembly of the A350 after getting off to a deliberately slow start to curb risks. After delivering one aircraft in December and another in the first quarter, Airbus expects to deliver six aircraft between now and August.
MOBILE, AL—With its powerhouse operational and construction of three primary structures categorized at “substantial completion,” Airbus’ A320 assembly plant here could receive its first shipment of major components from Europe as early as June.
