JetZero has selected Greensboro, North Carolina, as the site of its manufacturing and final assembly facility for its blended-wing-body Z4 airliner. The factory, located at Piedmont Triad International Airport, will support JetZero’s mission to revolutionize commercial aviation with its ultra-efficient airplane, which the company says will reduce fuel burn and carbon emissions by up to 50%.
“This facility is a critical milestone in bringing our all-wing Z4 to market,” said JetZero CEO and co-founder Tom O’Leary. “North Carolina offers the ideal combination of talent, infrastructure, and forward-thinking leadership to support our mission to reshape aviation.”
The project is expected to generate more than 14,500 jobs and help position the region as a U.S. aerospace hub. At full capacity by the late 2030s, the factory will produce up to 20 aircraft per month. Construction will begin in 2026, with aircraft deliveries planned to start in the early 2030s.
JetZero is designing the facility from a clean slate, partnering with Siemens to integrate digital tools for advanced manufacturing. Siemens is also supporting the development of JetZero’s full-scale demonstrator, which is set to fly in 2027.
The Z4 is designed to meet growing airline demand for efficient, mid-market aircraft. With up to 50% better fuel efficiency than traditional aircraft, it can carry about 250 passengers on routes of up to 5,000 nm. United Airlines has placed an order for 100 Z4s, along with options for 100 more. Alaska Airlines is also an early investor in the start-up company.