AIRBUS GROUP SE (OTCMKTS:EADSY) got its competitors’ attention yesterday when it successfully conducted the maiden test flight of its A321 aircraft at its manufacturing plant located in Mobile, Alabama. This test flight will be marked as a milestone for the aircraft manufacturer, as it gets ready to increase its market share in the US.
The first Airbus A321 manufactured at the US plant is slated to be delivered to JetBlue Airways in the coming weeks, which poses a risk to Boeing Co.’s (NYSE:BA) market share, as other US airlines might also give more orders to the European aircraft manufacturer. Furthermore, the US airlines are likely to now conduct tough negotiations with the US plane-maker as Airbus will offer competitive prices for its jets manufactured in the US.
The A321 left the ground from Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley in Mobile, Alabama at 9:36 AM yesterday and conducted a three hour 26 minutes maiden test flight before landing safely at 1:02 PM. Airbus test pilots, Bruce Macdonald and Mark McCullins, conducted the test flight accompanied by flight test engineers.
Airbus US manufacturing Facility General Manager and vice president Daryl Taylor commented in the press release: “We’ve come to an exciting milestone in the production of any aircraft, but this one is particularly special.” The aircraft would go through the final production for a few more weeks before being delivered to JetBlue Airways Corporation