Work has begun on an Airbus Aerospace Business Park at Filton – a multi-million pound state-of-the-art engineering and technology campus scheduled for completion next year.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the start of construction, Mark Barclay, senior vice president of the Airbus Wings and Pylons Centre of Excellence said: “This is an important milestone that shows our long term commitment to Filton and the UK.
"Filton is a centre of excellence for aviation with a proud history going back over a century and this investment will help ensure that the UK stays at the forefront of design and engineering in the decades to come,”
Mark Stewart, HR director Airbus Operations Ltd and Filton general manager added: “Filton is a key jewel in the crown of UK aviation and this major project will not only significantly enhance the future working environment for our employees but allows us to recognise our heritage as we sympathetically restore historical buildings such as Pegasus House demonstrating our commitment to Filton and the local community”
Jack Lopresti Member of Parliament for Filton and Bradley Stoke, congratulated Airbus for its continued commitment to the area. He said: "The new Airbus Business Park will secure thousands of jobs locally and is a fitting recognition to the home of British aviation and the centre of excellence that we have in Filton.”
More than 2,500 of Airbus’ 4,000 engineering, design, customer support and other employees will be consolidated into one modern business area. Other employees will continue to use existing facilities, which include some of the most advanced test and integration sites in the world.
As part of the plan Pegasus House, once headquarters for the Bristol Aeroplane Company and a Grade II listed building, will be carefully renovated and made into a conference centre and offices.
