March 8 (UPI) — Airbus said Wednesday it’s planning to move or eliminate 3,700 jobs as the aerospace company tries to recoup costs from its slow-selling A380 superjumbo and A400M troop carrier.
Airbus said in a statement the at-risk jobs are located in Britain, France, Germany and Spain.
Starting in 2020, production of the A380 superjumbo — the world’s largest passenger plane — will be trimmed to six jets per year. The manufacture of the A400M military transport will be reduced to eight planes annually.
“This baseline allows Airbus to pursue further sales campaigns which may lead to higher production levels,” Airbus said.
The France-based company said it will offer programs to aid affected employees and said it’s “committed to managing any implications for its workforce in a responsible manner as already successfully demonstrated on various occasions in the past.”
In January, Emirates Airlines agreed to order up to 36 Airbus A380s, providing a major boost for the struggling superjumbo program. The Dubai-based carrier signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to purchase 20 A380s, and the option for 16 more. Deliveries will begin in 2020.
Airbus has delivered 222 of the large double-decker jets since it’s introduction in 2007. The company said previously that it might need to cut A380 production, but hoped the $16 billion Emirates deal would help avoid cutbacks.
