'Boeing’s expansion of its UK footprint in Northern Ireland is a significant milestone for Short Brothers, our aerospace sector and the local economy'

A landmark deal to divide Spirit AeroSystems’ Northern Ireland operations between aerospace giants Airbus and Boeing has officially been completed.

Under the agreement, the parts of Spirit’s Belfast facility involved in manufacturing A220 wings and mid-fuselage components will become Airbus Belfast, while all non-Airbus operations at Spirit’s Northern Ireland sites have transferred to Boeing. One Queen's Island factory will be jointly used by both firms.

The move concludes more than a year of complex negotiations to transfer ownership of Spirit AeroSystems and allocate its global sites between the two manufacturers.

Boeing confirmed that its newly acquired Belfast operations will operate as an independent subsidiary branded Short Brothers, a Boeing Company — reviving the historic name of the site. The east Belfast operation traces its roots to Shorts Brothers before passing to Bombardier and then to Spirit AeroSystems in 2020.

Boeing said the Short Brothers team will report directly to Boeing Global Services, supported by the company’s UK leadership.

“We welcome the Short Brothers family to Boeing and look forward to leveraging the team’s outstanding aerospace capabilities, further strengthening the value we bring to our customers around the world,” said Kim Smith, senior vice president of Boeing Global Services Quality, Operations and Execution.

Short Brothers undertakes business-jet manufacturing for several aerospace firms, producing fuselage sections, engine nacelles, horizontal stabilisers and other flight components. It also has a significant aftermarket operation, expanding Space and Defence activities, and a strong R&D track record in advanced materials and manufacturing technologies.

Sir Jeremy Quin, President of Boeing UK & Ireland, said: “The site’s rich history and legacy, in addition to its highly skilled workforce, is a strong addition to our operations in Northern Ireland where we already have robust supply chain and strategic academic partnerships.”

Ciara Kennedy, vice president and general manager, Short Brothers, continued: “Boeing’s expansion of its UK footprint in Northern Ireland is a significant milestone for Short Brothers, our aerospace sector and the local economy.

“Our heritage is built on years of innovation and resilience, and joining Boeing is a huge opportunity for us to further adapt and grow with the support of a global leader.”

The deal also brings the team at Spirit AeroSystems’ Aerospace Innovation Centre (AIC) in Prestwick into Boeing. Around 60 AIC staff join Boeing Technology Innovation, while approximately 2,400 Short Brothers employees bring Boeing’s UK workforce to nearly 6,000 across more than 30 sites.

Airbus said it intends to push ahead with expansion plans begun by Spirit to support rising production of the A220, whose composite wings and mid-fuselage sections are manufactured in Belfast.

Around 1,600 employees in Northern Ireland will transfer to Airbus as part of the acquisition, with the remaining workforce moving to Boeing.

Jerome Blandin, head of wing operations for Airbus commercial aircraft said: “Airbus has completed the acquisition of key work packages in Belfast and Prestwick, reinforcing our long-term commitment to the UK’s aerospace sector and strengthening the resilience of the supply chain, which supports more than 104,000 jobs in the country.

“In Belfast, Airbus welcomes around 1,600 employees, delivering crucial work packages in A220 composite wing and mid-fuselage which are critical to Airbus’ production ramp-up.

"Our goal is to provide a best-in-class environment for our operations, investing in the facilities, people and systems to make Belfast our centre of excellence for the A220 wing. The non-Airbus operations in Belfast have transferred to Boeing.

"By integrating the rich history of innovation in Belfast and Prestwick into our existing operations in Broughton and Filton, we are further bolstering our world-class design and manufacturing capabilities in the UK.

“Our immediate focus is on ensuring a smooth transition for all employees and providing stability to our operations.

"We will continue close engagement with our new teams, Union representatives and government partners, underscoring our investment in the sustainable, long-term future of these high-value industrial sites and their skilled workforces.”

In an online statement, Airbus confirmed it has closed the transaction with Spirit for industrial assets tied to its commercial aircraft programmes. Florent Massou, executive vice president operations for Airbus Commercial Aircraft, confirmed: "This milestone marks a special moment for all of us at Airbus.

"We are proud to welcome over 4,000 new colleagues, with whom we will embark on a new chapter in our industrial operations by taking on activities of critical importance to our commercial aircraft programmes.”

Airbus has taken ownership of the following former Spirit AeroSystems assets:

the site of Kinston, North Carolina, U.S. (A350 fuselage sections), joining as Airbus Aerosystems Kinston;

the site of Saint-Nazaire, France (A350 fuselage sections), joining as Airbus Atlantic Cadréan;

the site of Casablanca, Morocco (A321 and A220 components), joining as Airbus Atlantic Maroc Aero;

the production of A220 wings and A220 mid-fuselage in Belfast, Northern Ireland, becoming Airbus Belfast;

the production of wing components for A320 and A350 in Prestwick, Scotland, becoming an affiliate named Prestwick Aerosystems;

the production of A220 pylons, which will be transferred out of Wichita, Kansas, U.S. to the site of Saint-Eloi, Toulouse, France.

“Airbus receives compensation of $439 million, with the typical purchase price adjustments and subject to customary post-closing review. In addition, Airbus receives certain amounts to settle liabilities under the provision of the purchase agreements.”

Industry Minister Chris McDonald also welcomed the completion of the deal: “This is positive news for workers in Belfast and Prestwick who now work for the largest manufacturers of aircraft in the world.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Airbus and Boeing as they take forward these world-class sites and bring opportunities for innovation, growth and jobs.”

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Invest Northern CEO Kieran Donoghue have both welcomed confirmation by Boeing and Airbus of the completion of the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems. The Minister said: “I warmly welcome the news that this acquisition has been completed. The presence of Boeing and Airbus is a strong endorsement of our region’s engineering excellence and advanced manufacturing capability. This reflects confidence in our skilled workforce and reinforces the north’s position as a global hub for aerospace innovation.”

Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, Chair of the All-Party Group added: "The news that Boeing has acquired Spirit Aerosystems is a significant boost for Northern Ireland’s aerospace sector. Bringing Boeing to Belfast clearly demonstrates the commitment of one of the world’s largest aerospace manufacturers to our highly skilled workforce, which has a proud tradition in aircraft manufacturing.

"From the Shorts Stirling and Sunderland through to the Shorts 330 and 360 commuter aircraft, this industry has long been at the cutting edge of technology. The fact that the new company in Queen’s Island, Newtownabbey, and elsewhere will be known as ‘Shorts Brothers, a Boeing Company’ reflects those historic links and signals a firm commitment to the future."