Coronavirus jobs catastrophe as Airbus sheds 1,700 UK roles after EasyJet said 4,500 were at risk

Aerospace giant Airbus is to cut 1,700 jobs in the UK as the coronavirus pandemic causes ‘the gravest crisis’ the aviation industry has ever faced. 

The company is cutting nearly 15,000 jobs across its global operations to stay afloat as the coronavirus crisis rocks the air travel industry. 

In a statement released today, CEO Guillaume Faury said its future was at stake after the coronavirus pandemic rocked the air travel industry. 

The news is a huge blow to its site at Broughton in north Wales, where wings are manufactured, and its other factory at Filton in Bristol. 

Around 5,000 posts in France, 5,100 in Germany, 900 in Spain, and 1,300 elsewhere will be cut – for a core total of 14,000.

A statement said: ‘Airbus has announced plans to adapt its global workforce and resize its commercial aircraft activity in response to the Covid-19 crisis.’

It added that ‘this adaptation is expected to result in a reduction of around 15,000 positions no later than summer 2021’. 

Aerospace giant Airbus is to cut 1,700 jobs in the UK as the coronavirus pandemic causes ‘the gravest crisis ever’ in the history of the aviation industry

Europe’s biggest aerospace group earlier unveiled plans to shed nearly 15,000 jobs including 900 already earmarked in Germany (pictured, British Airways Airbus A380 airplanes)

Europe’s biggest aerospace group earlier unveiled plans to shed nearly 15,000 jobs including 900 already earmarked in Germany. 

Additionally, the company has already agreed to cut 900 jobs at its Premium AEROTEC unit in Germany.

The move is subject to talks with unions which immediately renewed pledges to oppose compulsory redundancies. 

Airbus has refused to rule them out as it seeks voluntary departures.

Mr Faury said: ‘Airbus is facing the gravest crisis this industry has ever experienced. 

‘The measures we have taken so far have enabled us to absorb the initial shock of this global pandemic. Now, we must ensure that we can sustain our enterprise and emerge from the crisis as a healthy, global aerospace leader, adjusting to the overwhelming challenges of our customers.

Around 5,000 posts in France, 5,100 in Germany, 900 in Spain, 1,700 in the UK and 1,300 elsewhere will be cut (pictured, Air France A380 Airbus and airplanes)

In a statement released today, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury (left) said the company’s future was at stake after the coronavirus pandemic rocked the air travel industry (right, Philippe Mhun, Executive Vice-President Programmes and Services)

‘To confront that reality, we must now adopt more far-reaching measures. 

‘Our management team and our Board of Directors are fully committed to limiting the social impact of this adaptation. 

‘We thank our governmental partners as they help us preserve our expertise and know-how as much as possible and have played an important role in limiting the social impact of this crisis in our industry.

‘The Airbus teams and their skills and competences will enable us to pursue our ambition to pioneer a sustainable future for aerospace.’

More to follow.