North Wales is set to strengthen its position at the heart of the global aerospace industry as Airbus invests £150 million in its Broughton operation, creating around 480 new high-value jobs.
The investment will see the aerospace giant transform its former A380 wing production facility into a new A321 production line, significantly increasing the role the Welsh site will play in Airbus' international manufacturing operation.
The project is due to be completed by the end of 2026 and represents a major vote of confidence in Broughton, where Airbus already employs around 6,000 people.
Around 250 of the newly created roles will be based in the refurbished factory, with approximately 480 new positions being created across the wider Broughton site during 2026.
The expansion comes as Airbus increases production to meet global demand for its A320 Family aircraft. The manufacturer currently has a backlog of around 7,500 A320 Family aircraft, approximately 70% of which are A321s.
Once completed, the new Broughton facility will contain six wing production jigs, an equipping line and a dedicated paint shop, providing additional capacity to supply Airbus' international aircraft assembly operations.
The scale of the programme further embeds North Wales within one of the world's most significant advanced manufacturing supply chains.
Broughton is already known as Airbus' ‘Home of Wings', with wings manufactured at the site forming part of aircraft operating across the world. An A320 Family aircraft takes off or lands somewhere globally approximately every two seconds.
The latest investment means North Wales will play an increasingly important role as Airbus works towards its future production targets.
Jerome Blandin, Head of Airbus Wing, said:
“We aren't just talking about a ramp-up; we're putting the infrastructure in place to support it. Around the world today, an A320 Family aircraft takes off or lands every two seconds, with wings designed and built in the UK.
“Investing in our capacity strengthens our industrial footprint, creates high value jobs that support the wider UK aerospace sector and ensures we remain competitive in the years to come.
“This investment is important for jobs, important for the region and important for our global ramp up towards rate 75.”
The new factory is also being designed as an advanced manufacturing environment, with Airbus employees directly involved in its development. Operators from across the Broughton site have contributed to decisions around ergonomics, technology and the design of the production system.
The first wing is already in production, with all six jigs expected to be operational by the end of the year.
Beyond the immediate jobs announcement, the investment strengthens one of Wales' largest and most internationally significant manufacturing operations at a time when policymakers are seeking to increase advanced manufacturing activity and attract long-term industrial investment.
Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price, said:
“Today’s announcement of 480 new jobs, with more to follow next year, is great news for North Wales and demonstrates Airbus’ long-term commitment to Wales.
“This announcement strongly supports our ambition to grow advanced manufacturing and re-industrialise Wales.”
The Broughton expansion forms part of a wider programme of investment by Airbus in its UK manufacturing footprint.
It follows a separate multi-million-pound investment in the company's Belfast operation to expand wing manufacturing and advanced composite capabilities as Airbus increases production of its A220 aircraft.
For Wales, however, the £150 million commitment means one of the country's most important industrial sites is not simply maintaining its existing manufacturing role, but securing additional production capacity, technology and employment as Airbus expands globally.
