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Leaders discuss Airbus job cuts Leaders in Airbus crisis summit
(30 minutes later)
The heads of Germany and France are meeting to discuss how an overhaul of planemaker Airbus will affect jobs in their respective countries. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Jacques Chirac are discussing the future of Airbus.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Jacques Chirac have been joined by bosses of the firm's parent company, EADS, near Berlin. The German and French leaders are at a joint meeting with the management of the embattled planemaker near Berlin.
Thousands of jobs are expected to go in a restructure of Airbus. Thousands of jobs across Europe are at stake as Airbus restructures its operations in the wake of delays in its key A380 superjumbo programme.
Airbus employs 6,500 people in Filton, Bristol, and 5,000 at Broughton, North Wales, who could be at risk in the UK. Two UK plants, employing 11,500 people, are regarded as vulnerable to any consolidation of Airbus.
AIRBUS EUROPEAN PLANTS Toulouse: 11,500 staffSaint Nazaire: 2,300Nantes: 2,000Meaulte: 1,200Hamburg: 10,000Bremen: 3,100Nordenham: 2,100Stade: 1,500Buxtehude: 350Laupheim: 1,100Getafe: 2,000Cadiz: 500Madrid: 500Filton: 6,500Broughton: 5,000AIRBUS EUROPEAN PLANTS Toulouse: 11,500 staffSaint Nazaire: 2,300Nantes: 2,000Meaulte: 1,200Hamburg: 10,000Bremen: 3,100Nordenham: 2,100Stade: 1,500Buxtehude: 350Laupheim: 1,100Getafe: 2,000Cadiz: 500Madrid: 500Filton: 6,500Broughton: 5,000
EADS said it would make an announcement on the restructuring by early March. The UK sites, dedicated to aircraft wing design and manufacture, are at Filton, Bristol and Broughton, North Wales.
But reports have suggested that Airbus could cut up to 12,000 jobs from its 57,000-strong workforce. EADS has said its board would make a decision on the restructuring by the end of this month.
Reports have suggested that Airbus could cut up to 12,000 jobs from its 57,000-strong workforce.
LobbyingLobbying
The meeting of the leaders is taking place in Germany, with each keen to minimise the losses in their nation. According to Reuters news agency, Airbus chief Louis Gallois has drawn up a compromise to break the deadlock over job cuts. The meeting of the leaders is taking place in Germany, with each government keen to minimise the losses in their nation.
Under the scheme, Germany would get a greater share of work on the next model A320 jet in return for reducing its demands for work on the upcoming A350 plane, the agency said. One idea under discussion is a plan to give Germany a greater share of work on the next model A320 jet in return for reducing its demands for work on the upcoming A350 plane.
Germany has expressed concerned that its 21,000 Airbus workers will be worst hit. Germany had expressed concern that its 21,000 Airbus workers would be worst hit.
Airbus had been due to announce a major overhaul of the business on Tuesday, but this was postponed amid disagreement between its various European partners. Airbus had been due to announce a major overhaul of the business on Tuesday, but this was postponed amid disagreement between its various European owners.
France, Germany, the UK and Spain, all home to Airbus factories, have been unable to agree on future contracts.France, Germany, the UK and Spain, all home to Airbus factories, have been unable to agree on future contracts.
Government ministers and union officials from all four countries have been lobbying Airbus bosses in recent days, fearing that plants in their countries will bear the brunt of the cuts.Government ministers and union officials from all four countries have been lobbying Airbus bosses in recent days, fearing that plants in their countries will bear the brunt of the cuts.
Costly delays to the A380 superjumbo have hit the company's finances.Costly delays to the A380 superjumbo have hit the company's finances.
Parent firm EADS says Airbus needs to reduce its costs by 5bn euros (£3.4bn) by 2010 to boost productivity and make up for the losses from the delays to the flagship project.Parent firm EADS says Airbus needs to reduce its costs by 5bn euros (£3.4bn) by 2010 to boost productivity and make up for the losses from the delays to the flagship project.
Further savings after 2010 - in the region of 2bn euros a year - are also likely.Further savings after 2010 - in the region of 2bn euros a year - are also likely.
Airbus' main factory is in Toulouse, where the firm is based.Airbus' main factory is in Toulouse, where the firm is based.
Among its German plants, the company employs more than 10,000 staff in Hamburg, where final assembly of three models takes place.Among its German plants, the company employs more than 10,000 staff in Hamburg, where final assembly of three models takes place.