BRITISH Airways could be set to cut 66 jobs at its British Airways Maintenance Cardiff operation.

The St Athan-based has begun a restructuring consultation with the idea of reducing the number of employees at the base where 700 people are currently employed.

The operation maintains British Airways' fleet of planes and was last year chosen to work on its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Vale MP and Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns said he had requested an urgent meeting with BA to seek reassurances for the long-term future of the site in light of the planned staff reduction.

Mr Cairns said: “I will also be pressing BA to provide more detail regarding their decision to make technicians redundant.

“The aircraft maintenance skills that exist here in the Vale of Glamorgan are second to none. My priority will be to ensure that the next generation of aircraft are maintained here in the Vale following the retirement of older planes from service.”

Vale AM Jane Hutt said she was “very concerned indeed” to hear further news of job losses at BAMC in the St Athan enterprise zone.

Ms Hutt said: “I am meeting trade union representatives, management and the cabinet secretary for the economy to discuss the implications and ensure support for the highly skilled members of the workforce who may be affected."

Vale-based South Wales Central AM, Andrew RT Davies, said the proposals were “worrying”, particularly with a view to the firm’s long term future in the Vale.

He said: “Just last year the operation received a boost when it was chosen to work on the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, so this news does come as something of a surprise.

“Whilst reports suggest that these are going to be voluntary redundancies, there is some concern among staff that this could lead to compulsory job cuts if the numbers are insufficient.”

A British Airways spokesman said: “We are consulting with our colleagues and union at our maintenance base in Cardiff about restructuring proposals to ensure we continue to deliver a sustainable and competitive service.

“While the consultation continues we are not able to discuss further details.”