Video: Airbus Columbus GM Speaks at Columbus Exchange Club

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — The Columbus Exchange Club got a taste of where Airbus Columbus is at, and where its headed.

The Columbus branch of Airbus Helicopters was struggling to stay afloat almost two years ago, but things appear to be moving forward.

Airbus Columbus General Manager Sam Adcock said since the U.S. Army renewed its Lakota production contract, circumstances have brightened, and said the facility is working at full capacity to meet not only their own standards, but their customers’ too.

Adcock said the local facility has come back with a fighting passion after opening a second production line in January, where employees will piece together top-of-the-line model AS350 commercial helicopters.

“We’re excited about the future. We have had a period of time where we had some questions about our Army business going forward, due to the federal budget,” Adcock said. “Those questions have largely been resolved, and they’re behind us.”

Adcock said the AS350 production line was still working its way up to full production capabilities, but said the facility is expected to reach that level sometime in 2016.