AIRCRAFT maker Airbus is looking to shed 250 jobs from its huge Deeside factory as the economic downturn hits orders.

The firm, which employs up to 7,000 staff, is looking to make cutbacks at its wing-making factory complex in Broughton, near Chester.

Agency staff from Blue Arrow Managed Services are those in the firing line, and a 90-day consultation has started with unions and the agency over the job losses.

The threat to jobs emerged after a number of orders for the Hawker Business Jet were suspended due to the global economic slump. This section is understood to employ around 350 staff at Airbus.

The workers’ union, Unite, said the three parties would do everything possible to ensure any job losses would be voluntary, but added that it could not guarantee this would be the case.

A joint statement released by Airbus, Blue Arrow and Unite said: “As part of a review of its business and manpower requirements, Airbus has asked Blue Arrow Managed Services to look at reducing the size of its complementary labour force at Airbus’ Broughton facility, by approximately 250.

“Representatives from Airbus, Blue Arrow, and Unite have been – and will continue to be – working closely together, in the coming months, to manage this situation effectively and responsibly, with the shared objective of avoiding compulsory redundancies of Blue Arrow employees wherever possible.”

Alwyn Rowlands, from Unite, said: “The downturn has led to companies suspending orders for the Hawker jet and this has led to the company announcing it has surplus staff.

“There is a commitment that these are voluntary redundancies but there is no guarantee this will be the case.

“There is some capacity in other areas of Airbus and we will be pushing for re-training opportunities so that staff affected can be redeployed, rather than be made redundant.”