MAGELLAN Aerospace says it will "endeavour to mitigate the proposed 240 job losses" at its Wrexham site.

The Leader reported on Wednesday that Unite union said the proposal was "devastating" for staff at the factory in Llay, which supplies components to companies like Airbus, and that the potential economic consequences for the economy of north east Wales are "huge".

The Canadian firm has now issued a statement on the situation, saying based on future orders the business has been forced to review operations and is in talks with Unite union.

It said the coronavirus pandemic is having an "unprecedented impact" on the aerospace industry as a whole, which has affected Magellan Aerospace.

The company said because of the pandemic, customers have "significantly" decreased their orders for Magellan’s products resulting in reduced business levels.

A Magellan Aerospace spokesman said: "Since the outbreak of the pandemic the business has remained in full dialogue, having regular meetings with all customers to gain a better understanding of both current and future demand levels. Based on future orders from customers for the remainder of 2020 and 2021, the business has been forced to review operations.

"Magellan is presently consulting with Unite Union at local and regional level and non-union representatives regarding the current business situation. These talks will remain in place and the business will endeavour to mitigate the proposed 240 job losses.

"Employees are a key part of Magellan Aerospace. Magellan’s leadership team has managed through several economic cycles in the past and remain confident the company will weather this storm and are committed to ensure that Magellan maintains production capacity, long-term backlog, financial liquidity and will be part of the local community for years to come."

A Welsh Government spokesman said: "The news is extremely worrying for the Magellan workforce, their families and the community. This important business has been a cornerstone of the Airbus supply chain for many years and has world beating design and build technology that must not be lost.

“The announcement underpins the fragility of the aerospace sector globally with a dramatic reduction in demand for commercial aircraft. The Welsh Government will continue to do all it can to support the company and the workforce, but time is running out for the UK Government to intervene as other national governments have around the world.

“Welsh Government Ministers have constantly impressed upon UK Government counterparts the need to support the long term future of the industry, by developing a package of interventions to match what the French Government and others have already announced.”