Airbus will be damaged by Brexit, says EU’s chief negotiator

THE European chief negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier, has singled out Airbus as one of the firms which could be badly damaged by a harsh exit for Britain from the EU.

Airbus – one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers – has a major plant in Broughton, Flintshire, where it employs 6,000 people to construct wings.

Barnier pointed out that Brexit would prevent Britain enjoying the benefits of the free movement of goods and people across the EU.

He stressed that the UK would no longer be able to retain the benefits of the single market.

‘The success of the Airbus factory in Broughton in North Wales is largely owing to its ability to attract qualified engineers and technicians from all over Europe,’ he said. ‘And to the ease of the procedures for certification and for delivery to assembly sites in Toulouse or Hamburg.

‘Whatever the outcome of the negotiations will be, from midnight on March 29, 2019, as things stand, the UK will be a third country which cannot have the same facilities or the same rights as a member state.

‘This is true across all areas and in particular for trade, which will never be as fluid for a country that chooses to leave the single market and the customs union.’

Airbus also makes wings at a factory in Filton, Gloucestershire, where it employs 4,000 workers. The wings manufactured at both plants are flown to Toulouse, France, for final assembly.

The company has previously indicated concerns that Brexit will adversely affect the movement of its engineers and products.

Airbus declined to comment.