(Boursier.com) — Boeing And Spirit AeroSystems Holdings are getting closer to an agreement which would see Airbus take over part of the aeronautical supplier’s activities. According to sources close to the discussions cited by ‘Bloomberg’, an agreement could be revealed next week. After months of negotiations, the European aircraft manufacturer is reportedly preparing to take over the Spirit branch in Belfast which produces the wings of its smaller A220 model, as well as the facilities in Kinston, North Carolina, and Saint-Nazaire in France which supplies critical components for the A350 wide-body aircraft and those from Preswick in Scotland which equip the A320. The final terms are still under discussion and negotiations could still fail, according to the sources. ‘Reuters’ earlier reported that the companies were close to reaching a deal.
Boeing wants to bring Spirit back into its fold after a serious accident in January aboard a 737 Max-9 revealed quality and manufacturing defects at Boeing and its main supplier and led to a rethink of their relationship. Airbus told the agency it was in discussions with Spirit “to protect the supply of our programs and define a more sustainable path forward, both operationally and financially.”
Spirit is facing increased financial difficulties as Boeing slows production of its 737 aircraft, the main source of revenue for both groups. Reinstating Spirit would help Boeing stabilize its supply chain and better control its aircraft production.
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