Boeing is reportedly planning to acquire Spirit AeroSystems' facilities in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This move is part of a broader acquisition strategy involving key assets and facilities of Spirit AeroSystems by both Boeing and Airbus. Representatives from both companies confirmed this development to the American Journal of Transportation (AJOT).
Originally, Spirit AeroSystems began as a Boeing factory in Wichita, Kansas, manufacturing Boeing 737 fuselages. In 2005, Boeing spun off the facility, allowing Spirit AeroSystems to expand globally and enter agreements with other aerospace companies such as Airbus and Bombardier. The Belfast plant currently manufactures wings for the Airbus A220.
In 2024, Boeing agreed to reacquire Spirit AeroSystems in an all-stock deal valued at nearly $5 billion. The primary goal was to regain control over 737 fuselage production to enhance quality control. As part of this agreement, Airbus has already committed to purchasing the manufacturing operations for the Airbus A220's wings.