Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer, has announced the maiden flight of the first Airbus aircraft produced at the company’s manufacturing facility in the US.

The A321, destined for JetBlue, took off from the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley in Mobile, Alabama, US, at 9:36 am, performed its test sequences, and landed safely at 1:02 pm, said a statement from the company.

Following the maiden flight, the aircraft will go through a few more weeks in final production before being delivered to JetBlue, it added.

The A321 is the largest member of the A320 family offering passengers state-of-the-art cabin design, wider seats and superior comfort whilst airlines benefit from the unique operational flexibility of Airbus’ single-aisle aircraft. With a range of up to 7,400 km / 4,000 nm, the A321 is able to fly longer routes as for example Europe to US. The A320 family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with over 12,400 orders and close to 6,700 aircraft delivered to some 300 customers worldwide, it added.

Daryl Taylor, vice president and general manager of the Airbus US manufacturing facility, said: “We have come to an exciting milestone in the production of any aircraft, but this one is particularly special.”

“The Mobile team has worked hard, and I’m proud that their skill and talent have brought us to this moment. Together we are fulfilling the promise we made to the city of Mobile, the state of Alabama, and the Gulf Coast region—we are creating a new centre of commercial aircraft production in the US,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service