Commenting on the report that GE Aviation – which has a maintenance and repair base in Nantgarw – is considering reducing staff numbers worldwide, Russell George AM, the Shadow Business and Economy Minister, said:
“This is clearly going to be very worrying news for the employees at the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in South Wales, during what are already very uncertain times, and it follows similar recent announcements by aviation firms with operations in Wales.”
It is reported that the business is consulting with all employees at the Wales site, including those currently furloughed, regarding voluntary severance. The total number of people affected will only be finalised through the consultation process which is currently underway. Some 1,400 people are employed at the Nantgarw site, out of approximately 52,000 worldwide.
Mr George added:
“The aviation industry – both airlines and those involved in the manufacture or maintenance of aircraft or engines – has seen a massive drop in demand, and this latest announcement goes to show how hard the global impact of the coronavirus pandemic is being felt across all industries, even key, strategic ones such as the GE MRO in Wales."
The image is a GE9X engine as maintained and repaired at the Nantgarw MRO. Image copyright and courtesy of GE Aviation.