Dublin, July 3 - Boeing is poised to acquire the non-Airbus portion of Spirit AeroSystems’ operations in Belfast, Northern Ireland, following unsuccessful efforts to secure a third-party buyer for the facility. This move is part of Boeing’s broader $4.7 billion all-stock acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier that was spun off from Boeing in 2005. The Belfast plant, a major manufacturing hub employing approximately 3,500 workers, is Northern Ireland’s largest manufacturing employer and plays a critical role in the region’s aerospace sector. The acquisition, announced in July 2024, aims to reintegrate Spirit’s operations to streamline Boeing’s supply chain and enhance quality control, addressing ongoing challenges that have plagued the company in recent years.
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Spirit AeroSystems’ Belfast facility is a cornerstone of aerospace manufacturing, producing components for various aircraft, including wings for Airbus’ A220 and parts for Bombardier business jets. As part of a coordinated transatlantic agreement, Airbus finalized a deal in April 2025 to acquire Spirit’s facilities tied to its own aircraft programs, including the A220 wing and A350 engineering programs in Belfast, as well as operations in Prestwick, Scotland, and Kinston, North Carolina. Under the terms of this agreement, if no suitable third-party buyer was found for the remaining Belfast operations, the A220 mid-fuselage program would transfer to Airbus, while the non-Airbus operations would revert to Boeing. With no buyer secured, Boeing is now set to take ownership of these remaining operations, which primarily involve work on Bombardier jets. A Boeing spokesperson confirmed the company’s commitment to the acquisition, noting that taking control of the Belfast facility was a known possibility.
The acquisition comes at a critical juncture for Boeing, which has faced significant scrutiny over quality control and supply chain disruptions, particularly following a January 2024 incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9, where a door plug component, manufactured by Spirit, separated mid-flight. By reintegrating Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing aims to improve manufacturing oversight and stabilize its production processes. The Belfast facility’s integration is expected to bolster these efforts, given its role in producing high-value components. However, the deal is not without challenges. The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a formal Phase 1 investigation in June 2025 to assess whether the $4.7 billion merger could impact competition in the UK and global markets. The CMA’s review, with a decision due by August 28, 2025, underscores the deal’s significance, as Spirit’s Belfast operations are a vital part of the UK’s aerospace supply chain.
The transfer of the Belfast plant to Boeing also raises implications for the local workforce and Northern Ireland’s economy. While the acquisition ensures the facility’s continued operation under Boeing’s stewardship, the lack of a third-party buyer has sparked concerns among stakeholders about the long-term future of aerospace jobs in the region. Spirit’s Belfast operations, combined with Airbus’ continued presence, create a unique scenario where the two rival planemakers will effectively share production at the site, a situation that could lead to complex operational dynamics. Boeing’s move to acquire the Belfast facility reflects its strategic push to regain control over critical supply chain elements, positioning the company to address quality issues while navigating regulatory scrutiny and regional economic considerations.