Airbus Halts Production In Spain As Government Locks Down

Airbus is pausing production in Spain as Madrid introduces more restrictive lockdown measures to battle the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Production at the company’s aerospace facilities in Albacete, Madrid-Getafe and Seville have all been halted until at least April 9.

The halt affects assembly of the Airbus A400M and C295 airlifters in Seville; modification of Airbus A330s into Multi-Role Tanker Transports, normally performed in Madrid; and local assembly and production of helicopter components at Albacete. Airbus says some necessary support functions will remain operational including security, information technology (IT) and engineering. 

The pause does not impact those able to work remotely at home.

Airbus’ Spanish facilities had already paused once to allow deep cleaning of the company’s facilities and to examine working procedures to ensure that employees could maintain so-called social distancing.

“Airbus will closely work with its social partners to apply the social measures applicable under the latest restrictions,” the company said in a March 30 statement.

Madrid has banned all nonessential workers from leaving their homes to stem the spread of the COVID-19 illness.