Airbus_A380

Airbus is intending to double its annual spending for the procurement of parts and services in the US to $24bn by 2020, supported by an international backlog of more than 4,400 aircraft.

The French-based firm plans to forge partnerships with suppliers, particularly from Southern California, where the company spends more than $1bn each year to procure tooling and services from more than 100 supplier companies.

The announcement was made by Airbus Americas chairman Allan McArtor at an educational summit in the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in order to attract new supplier companies.

"Hundreds of American companies, with hundreds of thousands of jobs, are supported through Airbus’s partnership with the US, and with our commitment to expand, we believe those numbers will increase in the coming years," McArtor said.

"Hundreds of American companies, with hundreds of thousands of jobs, are supported through Airbus’s partnership with the US, and with our commitment to expand, we believe those numbers will increase in the coming years."

In 2011 alone, Airbus spent $12bn, 40% of its procurement budget, on 400 suppliers in more than 40 states, supporting an estimated 120,000 jobs in the region.

In July 2012, the company announced plans to establish a $600m facility in Alabama for the assembly of A319, A320 and A321 aeroplanes.

Construction of the plant is likely to begin in 2013 and is expected to manufacture up to 50 aircraft annually by 2017, with the first delivery to be out in 2016.

Meanwhile, the aircraft manufacturer expects to have 13 daily flights by airlines using its A380 aircraft to Los Angeles International Airport, which will create an additional 3,900 jobs in the country.

McArtor also noted that the number of aircraft in service would go up from the current 15,550 to 32,550 by 2031.

Image: In 2011, Airbus spent over $12bn to procure tools and services for its aircraft from 400 suppliers across 40 states in US. Photo: courtesy of Axwel.