Airbus completes acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems' sites
Airbus has closed the transaction with Spirit AeroSystems for the acquisition of industrial assets dedicated to its commercial aircraft programmes, including those providing wing components for the A320 and A350 in Prestwick, Scotland and for A220 wings and A220 mid-fuselage production in Belfast.
Image copyright Airbus
"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," said Florent Massou, Executive Vice President Operations for the Commercial Aircraft business of Airbus.
Airbus has taken ownership of the following former Spirit AeroSystems assets:
- the site of Kinston, North Carolina, US (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, US 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.
