| Advertisement |
|
|
Boeing's history in Wichita dates back to the Stearman Aircraft Company in the 1920's. Airbus' hasn't been in the Air Capital that long, but it's presence may soon grow.
Within hours of Boeing announcing plans to close its Wichita facility by the end of 2013, Mayor Carl Brewer says the city was already in contact with European plane-maker Airbus about expanding its local footprint.
Airbus already has an engineering office in Wichita. Approximately 200 engineers work on the A380 and other long-range jets.
Airbus produces around half of the world's largest commercial airliners. Airbus finished 2011 with some 1,600 orders, pushing Boeing to the lowest market share of their 40-year rivalry.
Airbus outsold Boeing for nine out the past ten years. Boeing narrowly beat out Airbus's parent company EADS to build the next generation refueling tanker for the U.S. Air Force. The contract for the first round of tanker is valued at $35 billion.
The KC-46 tankers were supposed to be built by Boeing in Washington state and then flown to Wichita for finishing work. With the closure of the Wichita facility and the loss of 2,100 existing jobs and thousands more that were planned, the work will now be done in the Pacific Northwest.