Airbus has announced that it has closed its transaction with Spirit AeroSystems for the acquisition of industrial assets dedicated to Airbus commercial aircraft programmes.
“This milestone marks a special moment for all of us at Airbus. We are proud to welcome over 4,000 new colleagues, with whom we will embark on a new chapter in our industrial operations by taking on activities of critical importance to our commercial aircraft programmes,” said Florent Massou, Executive Vice President Operations for the Commercial Aircraft business of Airbus.
Through the agreement, Airbus has taken ownership of several former Spirit AeroSystems facilities, including the site in Kinston, North Carolina, U.S., focused on A350 fuselage sections and now operating as Airbus Aerosystems Kinston; the Saint-Nazaire, France site, also producing A350 fuselage sections and joining Airbus Atlantic Cadréan; and the Casablanca, Morocco site, producing A321 and A220 components and now operating as Airbus Atlantic Maroc Aero. Airbus has additionally assumed responsibility for A220 wing and mid-fuselage production in Belfast, Northern Ireland, now known as Airbus Belfast; wing component production for the A320 and A350 in Prestwick, Scotland, which will operate as Prestwick Aerosystems; and production of A220 pylons, which will be transferred from Wichita, Kansas, U.S. to the Saint-Eloi site in Toulouse, France. As part of the transaction, Airbus receives compensation of $439 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments and post-closing review, along with additional amounts to settle liabilities under the purchase agreements.
Boeing have also announced the completion of its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems marking a significant step in the company’s strategic integration of Spirit’s commercial and aftermarket operations and the establishment of Spirit Defense.
“This is a pivotal moment in Boeing’s history and future success as we begin to integrate Spirit AeroSystems’ commercial and aftermarket operations and establish Spirit Defense,” said Kelly Ortberg, Boeing president and chief executive officer. “As we welcome our new teammates and bring our two companies together, our focus is on maintaining stability so we can continue delivering high-quality airplanes, differentiated services, and advanced defense capabilities for our customers and the industry.”
The acquisition includes Spirit’s Boeing-related commercial activities, such as fuselages for the 737 and major structures for the 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner, as well as commercially procured fuselages for the P-8 and KC-46. Boeing also brings in Spirit’s aftermarket businesses, expanding Boeing’s maintenance, repair and overhaul services, spare-parts operations, and rotable and leasing portfolios. Spirit Defense will operate as an independent supplier within Boeing Defense, Space & Security, remaining non-integrated while receiving select enterprise support. Boeing has acquired certain Spirit operations in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which will function as an independent subsidiary branded Short Brothers, a Boeing Company. Spirit’s commercial and aftermarket operations in Wichita, Kansas; Dallas, Texas; and Tulsa, Oklahoma, along with its Aerospace Innovation Center in Prestwick, Scotland, will integrate into Boeing, bringing approximately 15,000 employees into the company. Government and industry leaders from Kansas praised the acquisition, highlighting the state’s long-standing aerospace heritage, its highly skilled workforce, and the strengthened ties between Boeing and Wichita, known as the Air Capital of the World.
