The former head of Airbus’ wing manufacturing facility in Broughton, North Wales has been awarded an OBE for services to Welsh Industry in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024.
Paul McKinlay oversaw the Flintshire site’s growth into a global manufacturing site which builds the wings for all Airbus airliners, except the A220, including the giant wings for the Airbus A380.
The site now supports over 5,000 local jobs directly and thousands more in the supply chain across the UK.
Speaking about the recognition from His Majesty King Charles III, Paul said: “I am extremely proud and humbled to receive this recognition. It’s a privilege to work for a company that has provided me so many opportunities over the past 35 years and lead the teams in Filton and Broughton who are designing and building the wings that our Airbus aircraft fly on.
“In accepting this honour I first want to dedicate it to my wife and family. Without their unwavering support over the years I would not have been able to dedicate so much time and focus to my career with Airbus. So this is as much for them as it is for me.
“I also want to dedicate it and thank the teams and wonderful colleagues at Airbus in the UK and particularly Broughton. It really was a privilege and honour to lead the site for so many years. Working in partnership with great leaders, teams and trade union partners, I believe we created a jewel in Wales and the UK industry. The motto of my beloved Welsh football team is “together stronger”, and for me that encapsulates the driver of the success we achieved together. I know that with the passion and capability of the people at Airbus, our sites in the UK will continue to go from strength to strength.”
The Broughton site is one of Airbus’ key sites with wings produced their being shipped across the world to Airbus’ Final Assembly Lines (FALs) in Europe, Asia and the Americas often by the Airbus Beluga XL transport aircraft which is a regular sight in the area.
