Airbus might leave UK due to unclarity of Brexit trade

Airbus has warned it might leave UK if there is no clarity over customs rules after Brexit. The company is taking into account that the future customs and paperwork delays will make UK plants uncompetitive, according to The Guardian.

Airbus said it is considering starting stockpiling parts to avoid border delays, which would add costs that could make its British operations uncompetitive.

Even if the company was assured by the government over Brexit, as Katherine Bennett, senior vice-president for Airbus in the UK says, Aibus fears that customs and paperwork would delay its manufacturing process.

Airbus moves parts between other EU countries and wing-making operations at Broughton in north Wales and Filton, near Bristol.

Bennett said that Airbus spends about GBP 5 billion each year on the UK supply chain.

“It’s really important that the parts don’t get held up in warehouses. We have a very just-in-time delivery system,” says Bennet.

She welcomed the announcement in Theresa May’s Mansion House speech that Britain intended to remain a member of EASA, the air safety certification agency, but Bennet warned that customs remained critical for Airbus and the company will soon take a decision on stockpiling parts.