Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] has successfully delivered its first composite center fuselage section for the Airbus A350 XWB program. The upper and forward lower shell (Section 15) composite fuselage panels were joined in Spirit's Saint-Nazaire, France, facility before being delivered to Airbus. Spirit is the world's largest independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components.

"This achievement by Spirit's Saint-Nazaire team demonstrates a milestone in our goal of meeting commitments to our customer on the A350 XWB," said Dan Wheeler, vice president-general manager, North Carolina/Saint-Nazaire business unit. "Our close collaboration with Airbus made this possible. The Spirit team is working diligently to continue meeting the requirements of our customer as we move toward production."

Spirit won a contract with Airbus in May 2008 to design and produce Section 15 of the A350 XWB's composite fuselage. The first center-fuselage panels were shipped from Spirit's North Carolina facility to Spirit's Saint-Nazaire facility in October 2011. Spirit also designs and builds the composite front wing spar and fixed leading edge for the A350 XWB, which have already been delivered to Airbus in the UK.