AIRBUS is to reduce production of wings in Flintshire for three weeks as part of efforts to tackle the spread of coronavirus, it has been confirmed.

The company has carried out extensive work in coordination with its social partners to ensure the health and safety of its employees by implementing stringent health and safety measures, while securing business continuity.

Airbus partially resumed production and assembly work in France and Spain on Monday (March 23) following a four day pause. At the same time, operations in the UK, Germany and the US continued at normal rates.

But now the company has announced further measures which will affect several sites, including Broughton.

A spokesman explained: "Based on the adapted ways of working which reflect the new health and safety measures, Airbus is continuing to evaluate its production flow.

"In this context the wing plants in the UK and in Bremen, Germany, have reviewed the additional completed stock levels developed in the recent period and the immediate demand from the Final Assembly Lines as they resume partial operations.

"As a result of that review, Airbus has decided to adapt the production activity in the wing plants for the next three weeks.

"This means that the production and corresponding activities for support to production of the wing plants in Bremen, Filton and Broughton will be reduced, with an extended Easter holiday implemented at Broughton and Filton and a reduced working week at Bremen.

"The sites will remain open during this period and will continue to ensure wing deliveries to the final assembly lines, the receipt and control of materials and components from the supply chain, building and installation maintenance, critical administrative support and preparation for activity restart.

"Employees will continue to perform activities remotely via home-working where their activities are not directly related to the production activity being adapted.

"Airbus is maintaining business continuity across its global industrial stream. As a leading industrial company, Airbus needs to continue its activities to support the global crisis efforts, support customers, suppliers and the global economy."

Airbus said its Broughton plant has an annual two-week shutdown in the summer, which it has brought forward as part of the production adaptation. It says it will explore with the trade union options on how to recover the hours.