Airbus remains committed to its UK operations despite previous warnings over Brexit and could expand operations in the country, its chief executive has said.

Guillaume Faury, who took the controls of pan-European plane-maker in April, said an annual address to industry figures and politicians that the business sees itself as a champion of national and regional prosperity in the UK.

Airbus has 13,500 staff in country and supports 100,000 British jobs through supply chains, Mr Faury said.

He added: “Airbus is committed to UK and committed to working with the new government to be a key partner to an ambitious industrial strategy, a strategy which supports an innovative and robust UK industrial base underpinned by R&D.

“I’m convinced the UK will remain committed to Airbus.

"We see great potential to improve and expand our operations in the UK this year."

Mr Faury's words represent the latest step in a retreat by Airbus, which makes wings for all of its airliners in the UK and previously raised major concerns about Brexit.

Almost exactly a year ago Mr Faury’s predecessor Tom Enders released a bombshell video saying that the UK's aerospace industry “stands on a precipice” and Airbus “is not dependent on the UK for our future”.