Airbus to absorb Spirit sites in five countries as Boeing deal looms

Aircraft sections built in the US, France, Morocco, Northern Ireland and Scotland will shift to Airbus, once Boeing completes its acquisition of Spirit and a buyer is found for any surplus facilities.

Airbus has agreed to take over several Spirit AeroSystems sites involved in producing major structures for its commercial aircraft, under a definitive agreement expected to close in the third quarter of 2025. The transfer is tied to Spirit’s pending acquisition by Boeing and is subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions for both transactions.

Airbus will acquire sites in Kinston, North Carolina and St. Nazaire, France for A350 fuselage sections; Casablanca, Morocco for A321 and A220 components; Prestwick, Scotland for A320 and A350 wing parts; and Wichita, Kansas for A220 pylons. The Belfast facility in Northern Ireland, responsible for A220 wings and mid-fuselage, will be included if no alternate buyer is found. The same applies to Airbus-related assets in Subang, Malaysia.

As part of the transaction, Spirit will pay Airbus $439 million, with potential closing adjustments. Airbus has also agreed to provide $200 million in non-interest-bearing credit lines to Spirit to support continued Airbus programme work during the transition.

Spirit AeroSystems’ executive vice president and CFO Irene Esteves says: “Entering into this agreement is a significant milestone as we work towards the closing of the Boeing acquisition, to the benefit of Spirit, its stockholders and other stakeholders.”

Airbus says the transaction supports its 2025 guidance and will improve long-term industrial stability across its key aircraft programmes.