A significant deal securing thousands of aerospace jobs in the United Kingdom has been finalized with the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems by aviation giants Boeing and Airbus. The east Belfast facility, known for manufacturing A220 wings and mid-fuselages for Airbus, will now operate under the name Airbus Belfast. Meanwhile, the remaining sites have been acquired by Boeing, resulting in a substantial workforce transition.
Approximately 1,600 employees from the Belfast facility will become part of Airbus operations, while Boeing will rebrand its Belfast locations as “Short Brothers, a Boeing Company.” This strategic move marks the culmination of a complex negotiation process that spanned over a year, effecting significant changes within the aerospace manufacturing landscape.
Originally established as Short Brothers, the Belfast site has undergone several ownership changes, including a period under Bombardier before its acquisition by Spirit AeroSystems in 2020. This latest development represents a new chapter for the historically significant site, promising future growth and development under the Airbus banner.
Airbus remains committed to expanding the east Belfast site, aiming to increase the production of the A220 wings. Additionally, a joint operation by Airbus and Boeing will be established at one of the east Belfast sites, fostering collaboration between the two industry leaders.
Further north, Spirit AeroSystems’ Prestwick site in Scotland will also experience changes, with around 1,200 employees transitioning to Airbus. This move consolidates the company’s workforce and reinforces Airbus’s production capabilities in the UK.
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