GULF COAST – There is new speculation that the aviation industry could be coming to the Gulf Coast. Yesterday American Airlines ordered 460 new planes.

200 from Boeing and 260 from Airbus.

Many believe one of those companies could look to assemble some of those planes in our area.

Bill Pearson/Reporting said, “During the economic downturn, job creation has been a priority for economic developers here at the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and especially important for those people still looking for work. Well, now it appears there might be some light at the end of the tunnel thanks to the aerospace industry.”

For many people who call Northwest Florida home the prospect of economic prosperity seems to be a long way away.

Jessica Ahearn/Concerned about economy said, “I think it all depends. I work in fast food, those jobs kind of jobs keep coming. But big corporate jobs, I don’t think are really out there.”

Just a few years ago it appeared our area would be flush with new aerospace jobs as EADS was gearing up to build a new refueling tanker plane for the US  Air Force.

That plan fell apart.

But now now it appears our area could see new aerospace jobs in a few years.
American Airlines has ordered 460 new planes,  200 from Boeing and 260 from Airbus a sister company to EADS.

There’s a sense in the aerospace industry that one of those companies could choose to assemble their planes in Mobile.

Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino traveled to Paris France recently to help attract new jobs to our area.

He says Northwest Florida could be in prime position to land a few companies Looking to supply the planes with parts.

Gene Valentino/Escambia County Commissioner said, “That’s critical to our survival. It effects every aspect of our business an industry and that’s why it’s so critical we focus on jobs, jobs, jobs. Good paying jobs for our community.”

Jessica Ahearn said, “A lot of our military need jobs after wards and they’re not the fast-food people, they need big jobs. Reporter: Got to get new jobs here. Ahearn: Definitely.”

Bill Pearson/Reporting said, “All the experts we spoke with on Tuesday wanted to emphasize we’re still in the early stage of this process but at least there’s a sense there’s a little more hope now than there was just a few weeks ago.