Alabama city leaders share major wins from 2025 Paris Air Show

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — State leaders traveled overseas to the 2025 Paris Air Show to network with the world’s biggest aerospace companies. Officials said Alabama is walking away from the event with some major wins.

“We do have one, we think, very good prospect, that we hopefully will be making an announcement about,” said Gary Fuller, Mayor of Opelika.

For Mayor Fuller, that prospect means bringing a new aerospace company to his community. After networking with other leaders across the world at the Paris Air Show, he said the week has been a success.

“We feel very fortunate to have attracted the world-class companies that we have there, and of course, are anxious to welcome additional world-class companies to Opelika,” Mayor Fuller said.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said those companies have also made a difference in his city. Mobile is home to Airbus, an airplane manufacturer. After several meetings this week, Stimpson is confident more companies like Airbus will choose Mobile.

“It’s just like two people bidding on a piece of real estate,” said Mayor Stimpson. “I think that this most recent show was very successful. But I think it’s because of a lot of groundwork that had been laid beforehand.”

Stimpson explained how future shows will be just as important for Alabama’s infrastructure.

“As long as you have those doors opening and closing with changes in leadership, because of elections, you’ll continue to have the need for there to be the presence of Alabama and the cities there,” he said.

Mayor Fuller said Alabama is a magnet for businesses, and it’s hardworking people that set the state apart. With companies like Airbus, Boeing, and Mercedes in the state, he said people have a good opportunity to succeed.