Airbus completes takeover of key Spirit AeroSystems facilities

Airbus has finalised its long-planned acquisition of several Spirit AeroSystems sites that supply major structures for its commercial aircraft, the company announced Monday.

The deal brings more than 4,000 Spirit employees into Airbus and transfers ownership of facilities in the United States, Europe and Morocco that produce crucial components for the A220, A320, A321 and A350 programmes.

“This milestone marks a special moment for all of us at Airbus,” said Florent Massou, Executive Vice President of Operations for the Commercial Aircraft division. “We are proud to welcome our new colleagues as we begin a new chapter in strengthening our industrial capabilities.”

Under the agreement, the following Spirit operations will be integrated into Airbus under new names:

• Kinston, North Carolina (U.S.) – A350 fuselage sections, becoming Airbus Aerosystems Kinston
• Saint-Nazaire, France – A350 fuselage sections, becoming Airbus Atlantic Cadréan
• Casablanca, Morocco – A321 and A220 components, becoming Airbus Atlantic Maroc Aero
• Belfast, Northern Ireland – A220 wings and mid-fuselage, becoming Airbus Belfast
• Prestwick, Scotland – Wing components for A320 and A350, becoming Prestwick Aerosystems
• A220 pylons production – To be relocated from Wichita, Kansas, to Airbus’s Saint-Eloi site in Toulouse

As part of the transaction, Airbus will receive $439 million in compensation, subject to customary post-closing adjustments, along with additional payments to cover specific liabilities outlined in the purchase agreements.

The acquisition follows months of negotiations triggered by Spirit’s decision to divest major parts of its business, including facilities tied to both Airbus and Boeing programmes.