Airbus warns it could leave UK if no Brexit deal

LONDON (AA) - European planemaker Airbus has warned Friday that it could leave the U.K should the latter exit the European Union single market and customs union without a transition deal.

"U.K. exiting the EU next year without a deal -- therefore leaving both the single market and customs union immediately and without any agreed transition -- would lead to severe disruption and interruption of U.K. production.

"This scenario would force Airbus to reconsider its investments in the U.K., and its long-term footprint in the country, severely undermining U.K. efforts to keep a competitive and innovative aerospace industry, developing high value jobs and competences," said Airbus on its website.

“In any scenario, Brexit has severe negative consequences for the U.K. aerospace industry and Airbus in particular. Therefore, immediate mitigation measures would need to be accelerated,” Tom Williams, co-officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft added.

Airbus, directly employs 14.000 people at 25 sites in the .U.K and indirectly supports more than 100,000 jobs.