08 May / 2024
Photo from airbus.com
Airbus, a European multinational corporation that designs, manufactures and sells civil and military aeronautical products worldwide, has predicted that thousands of British people may lose their jobs after Britain completely withdraws from the European Union.
The manufacturer fears that Brexit without a new trade deal with the EU could damage the company’s supply chain, and hence also disrupt the production of aeronautical products.
“There are several other countries around the world who would only be too keen to sit down with Airbus and talk to us about those opportunities. I ensure that our U.K. workforce, who are the most productive and competitive in Europe, continue to have their jobs and to thrive. That’s why we’re putting the case on the table today,” said the senior vice president of Airbus, Katherine Bennett.
On Thursday, June 21, Airbus said that Britain leaving the EU without a deal in place would force it to reconsider its long-term position and put thousands of British jobs at risk.
Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokeswoman said a deal will be done before the withdrawal from the EU next year.“We are confident that we are going to get a good deal, one that ensures that trade is as free and frictionless as possible, including for the aerospace sector,” she said.
In contrast, the Welsh government has said that Airbus’ warning is “extremely worrying.”
Airbus employs around 14 thousand people at 25 sites in the United Kingdom, around half in Wales.
With Brexit, the United Kingdom is set to leave both the single market and customs union of the EU.
