GE Aviation Wales creates 100 engineer jobs at Nantgarw

A total of 100 skilled jobs are being created at GE Aviation Wales aircraft engine maintenance factory in Nantgarw, near Caerphilly.

The jobs will be for aircraft engineers due to a growing order book, say management.

The posts will play an "important role in our expansion plans" as the company has also secured new contracts, said managing director Adrian Button.

It follows a growing demand for servicing of the GE90 aircraft engine.

An announcement is being made in a special ceremony at the Senedd at noon.

The factory currently employs 1,100 staff and has an annual turnover of nearly £1.25bn.

GE Aviation has also signed a "major new" contract concerning 130 engines over the next five years.

Officials say they have also introduced new facilities to service and test the new more fuel-efficient GP7200 engine used on the Airbus A380 super jumbo, the wings of which are made at Airbus' Broughton factory in Flintshire.

This month, Airbus signed a deal dubbed the biggest single order in commercial aviation history which will secure factory jobs.

Indian budget airline IndiGo signed a deal to buy 180 aircraft, the wings of which will be made at Broughton.

The company is to "create" 770 jobs at its Broughton plant in Flintshire by taking on agency workers who are on permanent contracts.

Martin Evans, an external research fellow at University of Glamorgan Business School, says the world's aircraft fleet is expected to double in the next 20 years.

"There is growth in the mature markets in America and Europe but the majority of the growth is going to come in Asia," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"It is an industry we can't be complacent about - it does have its threats.

"As those emerging markets build their airlines they are going to want to then build their own aircraft and then maintain their own aircraft.

"What we have here is a skills base so it is very important that we maintain that... by having really well trained people."