Latest news: 6,000 manufacturing jobs secured

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has safeguarded thousands of jobs at its Broughton factory after receiving an order worth some £4.5billion. 03/09/2012

According to the company, Philippine Airlines (PAL) is set to purchase 54 Airbus-made aeroplanes as part of a major fleet modernisation scheme. Although new jobs are not expected to be created at this time, positions will be secured by the investment.

Deliveries of the 34 A321ceo, ten A321neo and ten A330-300s will begin in 2013.

The news may well be welcomed by engineering graduates hoping to break into the industry, going some way to demonstrating the continued global demand for professionals in the sector and their skills.

John Leahy, chief operating officer for customers at Airbus , said, 'We are extremely pleased that Philippine Airlines has placed its confidence in our aircraft to meet its future requirements.

'This announcement demonstrates once again the popularity of both the A320 Family and the A330, which remain the leaders in their size categories in terms of operating economics, reliability and passenger comfort.'

The firm, established over 40 years ago, states that more than 8,500 A320 Family aircraft have been ordered to date, its popularity boosted by low operating costs and a new fuel-saving engine.

The A330, meanwhile, is one of the most commonly-used widebody aircraft in the world, with the company having recorded more than 1,200 orders for different versions of the plane. 'Some 900 now [fly] with 90 operators worldwide,' Airbus adds.

For more information about jobs at the company, visit Airbus - Work at Airbus .