JetZero, a California-based aerospace startup, has announced plans to invest $4.7 billion in constructing its first manufacturing facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. The ambitious project, centered on producing the company’s innovative Z4 blended-wing-body aircraft, is projected to create more than 14,500 jobs by 2036, marking the largest job commitment in North Carolina’s history.
The Z4 aircraft represents a significant departure from traditional tube-and-wing designs. Its blended-wing-body configuration integrates the wings and fuselage into a single aerodynamic structure, aiming to reduce fuel consumption by up to 50% compared to conventional aircraft. The 250-seat jet is designed for a range of 5,000 nautical miles and features a spacious, quieter cabin with improved passenger amenities. JetZero plans to commence production in the early 2030s, with the facility eventually producing up to 20 aircraft per month.
The project has garnered substantial support from both public and private sectors. North Carolina has committed to a performance-based incentives package exceeding $1.1 billion over nearly 40 years, contingent upon JetZero meeting investment and job creation milestones. Additional support includes $785 million from Guilford County and Greensboro, and $450 million from the state legislature for infrastructure improvements. The total incentives package could surpass $2.35 billion by the 2060s.
JetZero’s initiative has attracted investments from major airlines, including United Airlines and Alaska Airlines. United has placed a conditional order for up to 100 Z4 aircraft, with options for an additional 100, reflecting strong commercial interest in the fuel-efficient design. The U.S. Air Force has also awarded JetZero a $235 million contract to develop a full-scale demonstrator, with a first flight anticipated by 2027.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein hailed the announcement as a transformative moment for the state’s economy and aerospace industry. “From first in flight to now the future of flight, North Carolina and our skilled workforce are soaring,” Stein stated. The state’s robust aerospace ecosystem, comprising over 400 companies, and its strong educational institutions were key factors in JetZero’s decision to locate the facility in Greensboro.
JetZero’s CEO and co-founder, Tom O’Leary, emphasized the strategic importance of the Greensboro location. “North Carolina offers the ideal combination of talent, infrastructure, and forward-thinking leadership to support our mission to reshape aviation,” O’Leary said. The facility will also include a research center focused on composite structures, further enhancing the state’s position as a hub for aerospace innovation.
The Z4 aircraft is designed to operate on conventional jet fuel, with the potential for future conversion to hydrogen fuel, aligning with industry goals for decarbonization. JetZero’s focus on airframe innovation, rather than propulsion breakthroughs, aims to deliver significant efficiency gains within existing airport infrastructure.
As JetZero embarks on this ambitious project, the company is poised to make a substantial impact on the aerospace industry and the economy of North Carolina, signaling a new era of sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing in the region.
