DUTCH aircraft maker Fokker NV says it will make a definitive comment about its future today. The decision on the future of Fokker is being awaited anxiously by 1,500 workers at Short Brothers in Belfast, whose jobs are dependent on the Dutch airplane maker.

Shorts makes wings for Fokker and, should the firm collapse, 1,500 jobs will go at the Belfast aerospace company. The workers have been on protective notice since the end of January after Fokker filed for bankruptcy protection.

"On Friday, March 15th, an announcement will be made of the decisions taken by the management board and the administrators. To that end, a press conference will be held in the course of the day," according to the Fokker statement.

Two Asian companies, Samsung Aerospace of South Korea and AVIC of China, are the only groups in discussion with Fokker.