Airbus Takes Over Spirit AeroSystems Assets to Ensure Production Stability
Airbus announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire industrial assets from Spirit AeroSystems dedicated to the production of components for its commercial aircraft programs.
The move aims to secure supply chain stability and strengthen operational control over critical production areas, explained the company.
Among the assets that will transfer to Airbus ownership are:
- The Kinston plant in North Carolina (USA), responsible for A350 fuselage sections;
- The St. Nazaire unit in France, also dedicated to A350 fuselage production;
- The Casablanca plant in Morocco, which manufactures components for the A321 and A220;
- The A220 pylon production in Wichita, Kansas (USA);
- The A220 wing production in Belfast, Northern Ireland;
- The A220 mid-fuselage production in Belfast, unless Spirit finds a buyer for that part of the site;
- Wing components manufacturing for A320 and A350 families in Prestwick, Scotland.
In addition, Spirit AeroSystems has confirmed plans to sell the Subang site in Malaysia to a third-party buyer separately.
Spirit split with Boeing
As part of the agreement, Airbus will receive a payment of $439 million from Spirit AeroSystems, subject to certain adjustments at the transaction closing.
The closing of the transaction and official transfer of operations are expected to occur in the third quarter of 2025, pending regulatory and customary approvals.
To support continuity across its programs, Airbus also signed a memorandum of agreement with Spirit AeroSystems, providing non-interest-bearing credit lines totaling $200 million to support operations linked to its aircraft production.
Through this acquisition, Airbus aims to consolidate the supply of essential components for its A220, A320, A321, and A350 families, minimizing the risk of delays and reinforcing long-term operational and financial sustainability.
The acquisition of Spirit’s assets comes against the backdrop of the financial crisis of the supplier, which was born from a division of Boeing.
The US planemaker is expected to take over a large part of Spirit but has agreed to transfer critical units to the production of aircraft from its European rival.
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