MPs call for Airbus plane order to be ditched
A military aircraft project which employs 1,000 Bristol workers should be ditched, MPs have demanded.
In a Commons defence debate politicians queued up criticise the amount of money that has been "wasted" on the severely-delayed A400M transport plane.
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MPs call for Airbus A400M plane order to be ditched
The aircraft's wings and composite parts are being designed and made by Airbus and GKN at Filton, where about 900 workers are involved in the project.
A further 100 at Rolls-Royce in Patchway make the engines.
The first A400M was originally meant to be delivered this year but Airbus recently announced that it would not be ready until at least 2012.
The Government, which has ordered 25 of the aircraft, has already warned Airbus owner EADS, which is running the £18.5bn contract, that it is "concerned" about delays and is considering rival Boeing's C-17 to plug the gap.
Conservative MP Ben Wallace said the A400M should be "the first candidate for cancellation" to save money.
But Labour's Lindsay Hoyle called for the Government to put more effort into sorting out the problems instead of shelving the project.
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by plane0me, United States of America
Saturday, May 16 2009, 3:29PM
“We all have problems with new aircraft no matter which side of the pond you come from. I worked for McDonnell Douglas for 5 years and I can tell you all that your problems work themselves out. No new airplanes will be built without trial and error and that my friends adds time to production schedules.. On the other hand, Boeing and Airbus timeframe on new planes is nothing more than a wish list of people who never work on planes themselves. God Bless you all and help this world U.S.Marshall”
by john, Bristol
Thursday, April 23 2009, 5:55AM
“To Kathy. How can you dare say that. Were you living in Filton before the airfield was built??You dont move somewhere and then start preaching. You have no right!!!!
You moved to an airport zone. Deal with it. if u didnt like it. You should NOT HAVE GONE!!”
by Malcolm Ethridge, Bath
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 6:52PM
“Arny has it spot on, at the next General Election we have a clear choice,we will have two option's,either Tory,or Tory,God help us.”
by Arny, Bristol
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 6:36PM
“What Labour party are you referring to Chris,surely not the lot in power at present, I don't think anyone could say they were Labour with the broadest stretch of the imagination,and when they are removed asap who do you suggest they are replaced by, Camerons Labour mark two?”
by Chris, Clifton
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 6:24PM
“Kathy how can you say such a thing? England has enough problems with unemployment at the moment it doesn't need adding to!
I thought the Government was trying to keep people in jobs not increase unemployment....Labour Party need to be removed asap!”
by Patricia, Filton
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 6:21PM
“20,000 houses,No Vic, Id rather have seen a REAL International Airport developed there.”
by Vic, Bristol
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 4:00PM
“What a ridiculous comment Kathy, Airbus previously BAE have been at this site for 10s of years. Only part of this plane is being built at Filton so its not going to be flying anywhere. this is a huge number of local peoples jobs we are talking about, specialised jobs where they would have great difficulty finding new employment. Most people in Filton are very proud of the aero industry heritage such as Concorde. Would you rather have 20,000 houses on the site?”
by anon, bristol
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 3:33PM
“sorry you are wrong most of the residents in filton dont mind,
also the planes were about at filton airfield long before most of the homes were even built
and anyone buying a house around the airfield new what it would be like
but thats not the point its the lost jobs i am morw worried about than anything else”
by Kathy, Filton
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 3:19PM
“Good,we the residents of Fiton want nothing to do with Airports,or Aeroplanes.”
by anon, bristol
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 11:33AM
“How can these MPs say this airbus and rolls/royce is one of the better firms to build these planes then boeing if there is any problems then they need to be sorted out not have the plug pulled on them and vital jobs lost”