O
n Aug. 25, 2023, surrounded by employees, dignitaries, and media, Airbus Helicopters
celebrated its 20th anniversary of manufacturing helicopters at its facility in Columbus, Mississippi.
It all began in 2003, when Airbus Helicopters (then Eurocopter) committed to building a manufacturing facility in Columbus in order to broaden its footprint in North America. By 2004, the location grew from a small facility and seven personnel to 85,000 square feet and 100 personnel when it landed an AS365 Dauphin re- engining contract with the U.S. Coast Guard.
By 2006, the company achieved a major milestone and solidified t he
future of the Columbus plant when it was awarded the contract to produce the UH-72A for the U.S. Army. Since its humble beginnings, the facility today has grown to employ a skilled team of 300+ personnel (35% military veterans) and has completed nearly 1,700 helicopters. The Columbus facility is an important part of the Airbus business picture as it accounts for 20% of the helicopters manufactured by the company globally. The success of the Columbus facility has not only brought the aerospace industry to the region, but significant economic development as well.
“Airbus is, in many ways, the origin story for the success of this region. Airbus’ arrival here helped launch countless other investments that have shaped and improved this community for generations to come,” said Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves.
From left to right: Bart Reijnen, CEO of Satair; Gen. Tom O’Connor; Johannes Dienemann, vice president of industry and civil programs for Airbus Helicopters Inc.; U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker; U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith; Romain Trapp, president and head of Airbus Helicopters Inc.-North America; Maj. Gen. Trent Kelly; and Robert Geckle, CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense Inc.
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