Re: Why do we always re-engineer our aircraft??
Filton is about 50m shorter than Dresden (and 180m shorter than Finkenwerder) - plenty long enough for an Airbus narrow body, though perhaps tight for a heavy A300/310. Road access to ether Filton or Dresden is excellent; road access to Finkenwerder is utterly appaling, as the long-suffering local residents are only too acutely aware.
Post-reunification German policy was to encourage development of the east; hence there was considerable investment at the excellent dresden airport. But EFW is expanding its activities; they are the equal of any German aero-engineering business and certainly neither desperate for work nor have lower margin expectations.
I can't see EU politicians - particularly French ones - endorsing major Airbus work outside the EU. Except, perhaps, KC-30 if the USA eventually decides that it, rather than Seattle, actually does need yet more tankers.