Airbus re-assess order books

The A380 project has secured thousands of jobs

Union leaders at the Airbus plant in Broughton are meeting with plant management to discuss the plant's order books in the wake of the 11 September terrorist attacks in the US.

The Flintshire plant had been buoyed by a healthy orders for the new A380 project, which Broughton will build the wings for.

The aircraft is due to fly in 2002

But it is now thought some airlines could delay or reschedule their orders for the A380, creating a knock-on effect for the north Wales economy.

Airbus management at Broughton will discuss the latest situation with the unions and local MP Mark Tami, who has been monitoring the situation closely.

A number of leading airlines and aircraft manufacturers, including British Airways and Boeing, have announced major redundancies since 11 September, with order books slumping and flights half-empty.

GE's aero-engine facility in south Wales has axed hundreds of jobs and more industry cuts in Wales could follow.

Workers at the Nantgarw plant are also involved in talks about cutbacks with GE management.

BA has already been in talks with Airbus, seeking delays in some aircraft deliveries.

'Order books unchanged'

Recruitment at Broughton has been frozen before work has even begun on the A380 "superjumbo" project.

The aviation industry press has speculated that the A380 project could be affected by the current climate.

But an Airbus spokeswoman said their order book remained unchanged.

But Airbus is closely monitoring the market and the spokesman said that some rescheduling of orders was expected.

The huge, double-decker aircraft will have state-of-the-art facilities and carry up to 550 passengers.

The A380 project promised to bring more than 1,500 jobs to the Broughton plant and secure another 1,500.

The A380 is also creating a spin-off "village" of businesses to serve the Airbus plant, creating a further 1,000 jobs.