Wing of the new A380 under construction at Airbus in Broughton

Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami said without government backing new aircraft jobs in north Wales would be lost.

Airbus already employs thousands in Broughton on Deeside making the wings for the A380 super jumbo.

Now the aircraft manufacturer has set a mid June deadline for a reply from the UK on whether it will offer a new loan.

If the money is not forthcoming, it is feared jobs destined for the UK would go to France or Germany instead.

The A380 superjumbo, the world's largest passenger plane, had its maiden flight in France last month and is scheduled to start commercial flights next year. That project received backing from the UK.

They clearly have said 'yes' in the past to other projects Mark Tami MP

Now Airbus is turning its attention to developing the medium-sized A350.

Mr Tami, whose constituency includes the Broughton Airbus factory, said he wanted work on the new aircraft's wings to go to the factory.

He said he understood the deadline imposed for a decision by UK government was "tight", but that Airbus "has to make a decision" on how and where to share out the work.

The new super jumbo made its maiden flight last month

He said taxpayers had been repaid with interest on previous loans offered to the aircraft manufacturer and that he was confident that the government would agree to the loan.

He said: "They clearly have said 'yes' in the past to other projects and I have made clear it has been a sound investment in the past for the British taxpayer and I'm sure the A350 would prove exactly the same."

David Learmount from Flight International magazine said Airbus was likely to win UK government support.

"It is at the moment the way the world does things. For big international projects you want to have in your country the government does subsidise them.

"I think in a few years' time this will all change."