The ramping of new jobs at Airbus' wingmaking facility in North Wales following a multi-billion-pound new aircraft contact win with Air India. The Broughton facility, which currently employs 4,500, will build new wings for a fleet of 200 aircraft.
The contract win will also provide a boost Rolls-Royce’s engine plant in Derby. The wings will be designed at Airbus’s Filton factory near Bristol.
Air India, which is owned by Tata, has agreed to buy 40 of Airbus’ wide-body long range A350 aircraft and 210 narrow body aircraft. The contract will see a £100m investment at Broughton.
The facility, on the back of other orders, has been increasing its headcount at Broughton.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "This landmark deal between Air India, Airbus and Rolls-Royce demonstrates that the sky’s the limit for the UK’s thriving aerospace sector.
“It will create better-paid jobs and new opportunities in manufacturing hubs from Derby to Wales, so we can grow the economy and support our agenda to level up – helping to deliver on my five priorities for the country.
“The UK is already a top investment destination, and by building trade ties with growing economic powers like India we will ensure UK businesses remain at the forefront of global growth and innovation.”
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch MP said: “This is a significant win for the UK’s world-leading aerospace sector and one which will help to secure thousands of highly skilled jobs across the country and drive economic growth. It’s a shot in the arm for UK exports as we aim to sell £1 trillion of goods and services a year to the world by the end of the decade.
“We’re currently negotiating a trade deal with India which could boost trade by up to £28bn a year by 2035. Export wins like this are another big step to our nations forming a closer trading relationship."
Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said: “I’m delighted to hear this excellent news for Airbus at Broughton. I visited their wing assembly facility in December last year and I was hugely impressed with the skill, dedication and professionalism of everyone that I met.
“Deals like this are vital for the continued success and growth of Airbus, which is such a vital employer in north Wales. Congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen.”
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