Airbus is to cut the delivery target for the super jumbo A380 but insisted the super jumbo is here to stay.

The company said it would supply 12 per year from 2018, down from the 27 it delivered in 2015.

But the aerospace giant insisted the plane was here to stay and was loved by passengers.

It is not known if the cutback in production will hit job numbers at the wing making plant in Broughton.

“With this prudent, proactive step we are establishing a new target for our industrial planning, meeting current commercial demand but keeping all our options open to benefit from future A380 markets, which we consider in the environment of ongoing aviation growth and constrained airport capacity as a given,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President & CEO.

“We are maintaining, innovating and investing in the A380, keeping the aircraft the favourite of passengers, the airlines and airports - today and in the future.

"The A380 is here to stay."

A spokesman added: "Airbus reached breakeven at 27 aircraft deliveries in 2015.

"The company will continue to improve the efficiency of its industrial system to achieve breakeven at 20 aircraft in 2017 and targets additional cost reduction initiatives to lower breakeven further.

"With passenger traffic doubling every 15 years, the A380 is the one and only solution for sustainable growth at congested airports.

"Passengers love the A380 and the aircraft is clearly the passengers’ aircraft of choice.

"Independent studies show that 60 percent of passengers make an extra effort to fly on the comfort-leading double-deck mega-liner."