General Electric (GE) at Nantgarw, has signed a 10-year agreement which will see workers repairing an maintaining the company's fleet of aircraft.

The agreement replaces an existing contract that was due to expire at the end of this year.

The jobs of about 850 workers at the site have been secured with the deal.

The agreement, described by BA as one of the largest engineering contracts awarded in its history, followed a two-year review of its engine maintenance arrangements.

Alan Kelly, managing director at GE Wales, said workers were delighted with the news.

He added: "We are fully engaged in our efforts to provide British Airways with an excellent engine maintenance service.

"This is the start of a new chapter in our proud relationship with British Airways."

In a statement on Thursday, BA said GE would be responsible for the maintenance, overhaul and repair for the airline's RB211-524 and CFM56 engines.

Garry Copeland, general manager of engineering services at BA, said: "The facility at Nantgarw has a long history with British Airways and we are pleased that this relationship will continue.

"In signing this agreement GE have committed the Nantgarw facility to delivering a quality service providing safe and secure operations, on time and at a price which meets our business need."

'Many skills'

BA added that the agreement maintained its links with south Wales, where the airline also has three subsidiary companies employing more than 1,000 staff in Cardiff, Blackwood and Pontyclun.

Cath Speight, regional secretary for the union, Amicus, which represents workers at Nantgarw, said Wales was becoming a major centre for aerospace work.

She added: "It's a testament to the commitment to the workforce at GE.

"We are at the forefront in Wales in our aerospace sector - there's no doubt about that.

"We've got many skills and highly-qualified engineers, technicians and support services.

"We are becoming recognised as a county that excels in aerospace work."

Source: BBC News