Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and other leaders are heading to Europe to promote Alabama at an aviation gathering.
The officials will attend the Aviation Forum 2012 for a special panel presentation about Airbus' decision to build aircraft in Mobile.
WKRG-TV (http://bit.ly/UyzeL2) reports the two-day gathering will be held in Hamburg, Germany, starting Tuesday.
Airbus announced earlier this year it will build its first U.S. assembly plant in Mobile. The factory is supposed to employ about 1,000 people at full production, with another 3,700 jobs at suppliers.
Joining Bentley will be leaders including Mobile Mayor Sam Jones and the state's top economic development official, Greg Canfield.
Officials hope the Airbus decision will lead to an expansion of Alabama's aerospace industry, much as Mercedes-Benz opened the door to the state's automotive industry.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.