Multiple aircraft company Airbus is set to acquire a section of the Spirit Aerosystems enterprise in Belfast. Spirit is one of Northern Ireland’s most significant employers, with roughly 3,500 individuals on its payroll. Airbus plans to take over control of the segment of the company that produces wings and the fuselage for its A220 jet. Spirit stated that it would arrange a different sale for its position in other Belfast-based companies, which includes jobs relating to a range of Bombardier business jets.
The purchase could be a cause for concern for trade unions and the Northern Ireland manufacturing industry, as the deal may see the operations in Belfast disintegrate. In a letter to local companies acquired by the Financial Times, Sir Michael Ryan, the Chair of Spirit in the UK, cautioned that any disruption to the enterprise would significantly impact the long-term future of the Belfast business and Northern Ireland’s aerospace industry. Ryan also noted that spirit’s ecosystem and structure were fundamentally linked, giving it economies of scale, providing technological synergies, skills, and flexibility.
The acquisition’s initiation was proposed by Boeing, which wishes to bring Spirit back in-house to deal with its manufacturing problems. Spirit was formed in 2005 when part of Boeing’s business broke off the firm. Airbus will pay Spirit $559 million because the wing and fuselage manufacturing/construction part of the company is currently loss-making. Aside from the Belfast location, Airbus will acquire two Spirit factories in the United States, one in Morocco, and another in France to stabilize its commercial aircraft programmes, financially and operationally. The Spirit operation in Prestwick, Scotland, is not included in the acquisition and will be transferred separately.
In 2019, Spirit succeeded Bombardier’s operations, ending a long period of uncertainty for the workforce. Earlier this year, Spirit announced its intentions to invest in the Belfast factory and hire additional staff as the company increases A220 production. Airbus aims to increase A220 production by 50% in 2024, with another increase slated for 2025. There is consternation among employees and trade unions about the acquisition and how the Belfast enterprise will be affected by Airbus’ takeover
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