European planemaker Airbus’s plans to open its first US factory have been welcomed by Unite, Britain’s biggest union.
The aerospace giant, which employs more than 3,000 at its main wing development plant at Filton, is to open an assembly plant in Alabama to build up to four single-aisle aircraft a month.
Unite national officer for aerospace & shipbuilding Ian Waddell said: "This is good news for Airbus and its UK workers. It is a clear statement of intent from Airbus that it will continue to expand and find new markets, which will help secure jobs across the world, including here in the UK.
"The US market for single aisle aircraft, like the Airbus A319, A320 and A321 family is the biggest in the world. We have already seen Airbus open a final assembly line in China and it makes sense to tackle the massive US market.
“It is a sign that the company is in a strong position, which is important for the UK as it provides secure, well-paid employment for tens of thousands of people here."
The Alabama plant is expected to create 1,000 jobs when it opens in 2016. Airbus hopes it will take "more than a few percentage points" of market share from its prime US rival Boeing, Airbus sales chief John Leahy said.
Airbus has a 20% market share for narrow-body jets in the US against 53% of the market worldwide. It has won some orders with US budget airlines such as JetBlue although most domestic carriers remain loyal to Boeing.
Airbus's Filton plant designs the wings for all Airbus aircraft as well as the landing gear and fuel systems for other planes including the A380 superjumbo. Manufacturing of Airbus wing parts is carried out by engineering group GKN on an adjoining site.
