Boeing To Acquire Spirit Aero System’s Northern Ireland Plant, According To Spokesperson

Boeing to Acquire Spirit AeroSystems’ Northern Ireland Plant, Says Spokesperson

July 2, 2025 – Aviation Nexus News Desk

Boeing is on track to acquire Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland, pending the failed searches for an external buyer, according to a spokesperson for Spirit AeroSystems kfgo.com+13reuters.com+13reuters.com+13.

🔧 What’s Happening

• As part of Boeing’s $4.7 billion all-stock takeover of Spirit AeroSystems, agreed in mid-2024, the Belfast plant was to be divested. Airbus stepped in earlier to secure the A220 wing and A350 engineering segments, but talks with Bombardier and other potential buyers for the remaining operations failed wsj.com+4ft.com+4reuters.com+4.
• Under the agreement, if no suitable buyer emerges, the non-Airbus portions will transfer to Boeing—effectively placing Boeing alongside Airbus in co-owning the site en.wikipedia.org+4ft.com+4reuters.com+4.

👥 Impact on Workforce & Operations

• The facility currently employs around 3,500 workers, with roughly 1,100 in Airbus wing production, another 500 in A350 operations, and about 2,000 staff working on non-Airbus programs—including Bombardier business jets and other aerostructures ft.com+3theguardian.com+3reuters.com+3.
• Union leaders warn that while Airbus has secured its portion, the fate of those 2,000 non-Airbus roles remains uncertain. They’re urging the UK government to explore options—such as joint ventures—to protect jobs thetimes.co.uk.

🏛️ Regulatory Oversight

• The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an antitrust investigation into Boeing’s broader acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, with a decision due by August 28, 2025 facebook.com+14ft.com+14wsj.com+14.
• This review could delay the finalization of asset transfers, including the Belfast plant.

📅 What Comes Next

• Boeing, Airbus, and Spirit have reportedly informed employees that the Belfast transfers may close in the third quarter of 2025, conditional on regulatory clearance bizjournals.com+15ft.com+15ca.finance.yahoo.com+15.
• Industry stakeholders—from unions to the UK government—will be closely monitoring whether Boeing upholds its commitments to maintaining local operations and employment levels.

🛫 Why This Matters for the Aviation Industry

• For Boeing, integrating the Belfast plant reinforces its vertical supply chain control and addresses past quality control issues tied to Spirit AeroSystems.
• For Airbus, securing wing and fuselage production in Belfast supports the ramp-up of its A220 and A350 programs amid intensifying competition.
• For the workforce and regional economy, the outcome will be pivotal in shaping the future of one of Northern Ireland’s largest aerospace employers.