Spirit Europe, the UK based European Headquarters of Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] today announced it has signed a contract with Airbus to design and produce a major wing structure for the A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) programme. Spirit will design and assemble the wing leading edge structure primarily at its European facility in Prestwick, Scotland. The Composite Front Spar will be built at Spirit's recently announced facility in Kinston, North Carolina, USA, with composite sub-assemblies being manufactured at the Spirit Malaysia facility at Subang, near Kuala Lumpur.

The structure, incorporating advanced technology, will be made of about 50 percent carbon fiber content and will measure 32 meters long.

"We already have a long history of producing major wing structures in the UK for current Airbus models such as the A320 and A380," commented Neil McManus, Vice President and Managing Director of Spirit Europe. "This contract win means that we will be playing just as vital a role in their newest model, the A350 XWB."

The contract further increases Spirit's involvement on the A350 XWB, having recently announced that it will design and build the large composite center fuselage section in a newly constructed facility in North Carolina.

"We were already excited to partner with Airbus on the A350 XWB Section 15 composite center fuselage frame section," said Jeff Turner, President and CEO, Spirit AeroSystems. "To be involved in such a significant wing package as well is a testament to the design and manufacturing capability that exists within the entire Spirit enterprise."

In addition, Spirit has reached an agreement worth $1.7 billion with Airbus to extend their existing contract to supply leading and trailing edges and other wing structures on the Airbus A319, A320 and A321 range assembled in the UK from 2011 until 2015.

"This contract extension is fantastic news for aerospace manufacturing in the UK," added McManus. "We now have visibility on a product line that has been a core part of our business for a number of years and is set to be an integral part of our future."