Airbus CEO warns of \'harmful decisions\' for UK jobs in a no-deal Brexit

(SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) CEO OF AIRBUS, TOM ENDERS, SAYING: "Please don't listen to the Brexiteers' madness which asserts that, because we have huge plants here, we will not move and we will always be here.

They are wrong" In its starkest warning yet, Airbus has urged the UK to avoid a hard crash out of the EU, saying it could move its future wing business out of Britain.

The company has 14,000 jobs in the UK - around 6,000 of those at its wing factory in Wales - which could be at risk too.

As could its 6 billion pound annual turnover in the UK.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) CEO OF AIRBUS, TOM ENDERS, SAYING: "In a global economy, the UK no longer has the capability to go it alone.

Major aerospace projects are multi-national affairs.

It is a disgrace that more than two years after the result of the 2016 referendum, businesses are still unable to plan properly for the future." That message to UK government has been received loud and clear.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BREXIT MINISTER, STEPHEN BARCLAY, SAYING: "I take very seriously the warning from the Chief Executive of Airbus".

The Brexit Minister Stephen Barclay also told parliament others businesses want a deal to avoid the uncertainty of a no deal.

Airbus has previously made similar warnings, Critics have cast doubts over those threats, arguing there would be no reason to leave - with a weaker pound and its efficient UK factories.

Industry experts point out that the company has started work on wing technology for a successor to its best-selling A320 narrow-body series.

That means any decision to shift wing production for new projects would have to be taken in the next decade.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) CEO OF AIRBUS, TOM ENDERS, SAYING: "Airbus will survive and thrive whatever the outcome.

The question is, does the UK wish to be a part of that future success?" Other Airbus host states like Germany are vying for investment Japan, South Korea, or the U.S. are options too, according to executives, where the company has a growing footprint.