He said the UK's economic conditions "must be able to compete for international investment. And the best way to guarantee this is by remaining part of the European Union". Leaving the EU would, he predicted, "reduce the attractiveness of the UK as a manufacturing base".
Although he acknowledged that a withdrawal from Europe would not have an immediate impact on Airbus' operations in the UK, Kahn said that the eventual effects on areas such as skills would take a long time to repair in the event that the wrong decision was made.
Recognising that the European Union is not without flaws, Kahn emphasised that this was an opportunity for the Government deliver positive reforms in creating a leaner and more efficient EU, highlighting that the Union has received significant benefit from Britain's membership.
