Airbus Inaugurates New Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse for A321neo Aircraft, Generating 700 Jobs by 2026

Airbus has launched a state-of-the-art Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France, dedicated to the popular A321neo aircraft. This FAL, situated at the former site of the Airbus A380 production, is expected to create 700 jobs by 2026, marking a significant revival in employment opportunities. The move comes as Airbus shifts its focus from the A380 to the highly sought-after A321neo line, which has garnered remarkable popularity among airlines worldwide. With the recent delivery of the last A380 to Emirates, Airbus is gearing up to dominate the narrow-body jet market with its A320neo family aircraft, outperforming rival Boeing’s 737 MAX series in terms of deliveries.

Body: In response to soaring demand for the A321neo, Airbus has unveiled a new Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France, representing a strategic move to fortify its position in the aviation industry. This state-of-the-art facility has taken the place of the former Airbus A380 production site and is set to play a crucial role in the company’s future success.

The inauguration of this FAL marks a positive turning point for the region’s job market, as Airbus anticipates the creation of 700 job opportunities by the year 2026. This boost in employment is particularly significant as it accounts for half of the workforce previously engaged in A380 production at the same location. The news has been reported by Reuters, further highlighting the economic impact of Airbus’ shift in focus.

The decision to transition from the A380 to the A321neo line was initially announced by Airbus in January 2020, following the cancellation of A380 production in February 2019. Since then, the A321neo has garnered substantial attention from airlines worldwide and has outpaced its smaller counterparts, the A319neo and A320neo, in terms of orders.

According to Airbus Orders & Deliveries data as of June 30, 2023, the A321neo has received a staggering 5,163 orders, with the A320neo following closely at 4,313 orders, and the A319neo with 92 orders. This reflects a reversal from the previous generation, wherein the A320 current engine option (ceo) overshadowed the A321ceo in terms of orders.

The establishment of the new FAL will undoubtedly bolster Airbus’ position in the lucrative narrow-body jet market, in which it has shown dominance over Boeing’s 737 MAX series. As of June 30, 2023, Airbus has successfully delivered 2,848 A320neo family aircraft, while Boeing’s customers received 1,196 737 MAXs as of May 31, 2023, as per the latest Orders & Deliveries data from both manufacturers.

Airbus has ambitious production plans for the A320neo family aircraft, aiming to manufacture 75 units per month by 2026 across multiple FALs. Apart from the Toulouse facility, other assembly lines are located in Hamburg, Germany, Mobile, Alabama, and Tianjin, China. In line with this growth strategy, Airbus has already announced the upcoming launch of an additional FAL in Tianjin, China, scheduled to begin operations by the end of 2025.

The expansion into Tianjin, China, as mentioned by an Airbus spokesperson, is expected to bring enhanced flexibility to their production ecosystem while meeting the demands of the thriving aviation market. With these developments, Airbus is well-positioned to capitalize on the surging demand for its A320neo family aircraft, particularly the A321neo, which has become the company’s flagship in the fast-evolving narrow-body jet market.