JetSMART takes delivery of its first “Made in Alabama” A320neo

Source: Airbus

JetSMART, the South American ultra-low-cost (ULCC) airliner that operates in Chile, Argentina and Peru, has taken delivery of its first A320neo produced at Airbus’ US plant in Mobile, Alabama. The company is the first South American airline to receive an aircraft manufactured at this plant.

“We proudly welcome our 26th aircraft, the Macaw, the first A320neo built in the United States at the Airbus facility in Alabama, to be operated in South America. This milestone brings us one step closer to our goal of reaching 100 aircraft by 2028 with the most efficient fleet in the region,” said Estuardo Ortiz, CEO of JetSMART Airlines.

“The performance and efficiency of the A320neo will allow JetSMART to increase its route offering and fuel its continued growth in South America,” said Arturo Barreira, Airbus President for Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Airbus’ Mobile manufacturing facility continues to reach impressive new milestones, and it’s exciting to see JetSMART take delivery of a ‘Made in Alabama’ airliner bound for the South American skies. This moment is a powerful reminder that Alabama workers make world-class products that are in demand around the world,” said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey.

“With this international delivery, we can celebrate another special occasion for Airbus and its talented Alabama workforce. Since Airbus laid the foundation stone for its Mobile aircraft production facility in 2013, its Alabama operation has been in constant growth mode, making memorable days like today not only possible, but frequent,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.

JetSMART is a ULCC with a fleet of exclusively Airbus aircraft and developed by Indigo Partners. Currently, 25 A320 Family aircraft are in operation, including nine A320neo and five A321neo. In 2017, JetSMART signed a purchase agreement for 70 A320neo and six A320ceo aircraft. It took delivery of its first A320neo in October 2019 and placed an order for 12 A321XLRs that same year. In 2021, JetSMART announced an additional order for 23 NEO aircraft.

In 2015, Mobile, Alabama became the site of the first US-based Airbus commercial aircraft manufacturing facility. From an initial workforce of some 250 workers who produced A320 Family aircraft, the facility today employs more than 1,600 people and produces A320 and A220 Family aircraft. To date, more than 400 aircraft have been delivered to 14 customers.

Airbus has sold more than 1,150 aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 750 are in operation across the region, with another 500 on the order book, representing a market share of almost 60% of the passenger aircraft in service. Since 1994, Airbus has won 68% of net orders in the region.