Airbus threatens to quit UK in event of no-deal Brexit

In a Brexit Risk assessment published by the company this week (21^st June) it warns that leaving the single market and customs union without a transition deal would lead to severe disruption and force Airbus to reconsider its future in the UK. “Far from Project Fear, this is a dawning reality for Airbus. Put simply, a No Deal scenario directly threatens Airbus’ future in the UK.” said Tom Williams, COO for Airbus commercial aircraft.

The assessment adds that the transition deal currently envisaged by the government (which ends in December 2020) is too short for the EU and UK Governments to agree the outstanding issues, and doesn’t provide enough time for Airbus to implement the required changes with its extensive supply chain. Such a scenario would, it said, potentially affect any new investments in the UK and make it reconsider extending the UK suppliers/partners base.

The firm directly employs 14,000 people at 25 sites across the UK and supports more than 110,000 jobs in the wider supply chain.