Boeing set to take over some Spirit operations in Belfast

Spirit's wider global business is being carved up between Boeing and Airbus

US plane manufacturer Boeing looks set to take over part of Spirit's Belfast operation as no other buyer has yet been found.

The development was first reported by the Financial Times which suggested talks to find a potential other buyer had not progressed.

Spirit AeroSystems is Northern Ireland's most significant manufacturing employer, with about 3,500 staff.

In April, Airbus finalised a deal to take over another part of the Spirit operation in Belfast.

Spirit business break-up

The deal was first announced in July last year as part of a wider break-up of the Spirit business.

At that time, it was announced that the non-Airbus part of the operation would transfer to Boeing unless a third-party buyer was found before closing the deal.

Unions had raised concerns over any break up of the Belfast operations saying it should "remain as one identity".

Spirit spokesman Joe Buccino said the A220 wing and A350 engineering programmes were expected to transfer to Airbus.

He added that if a suitable third-party buyer was not secured for the remainder of the Belfast site, the A220 mid-fuselage program would transfer to Airbus.

Mr Buccino confirmed no suitable third-party buyer had been secured for the remaining Belfast operations to date, and the "remaining Belfast operations will transfer to Boeing".

It is not yet clear what impact if any this will have on workforce numbers, but it is understood the company met unions on Tuesday.

The Unite trade union said their priority was "making sure jobs, pay and conditions are secure" for their members and the investment needed for developing their skills base is delivered.

Regional secretary at Unite Susan Fitzgerald said they would be following up with Boeing "to ensure any next steps are in the interest of workers and the future of Northern Ireland's aerospace sector".

Who is taking over Spirit AeroSystems Belfast?

In Belfast, Airbus will take ownership of the A220 wing manufacturing and assembly facility.

The A220 mid-fuselage work package will also transfer to Airbus if a buyer for the remainder of the Belfast site is not found prior to closing of the deal later this year.

An Airbus spokesperson said: "No such agreement has yet been reached and closing the transaction is now business critical for all parties.

"Our immediate priority is to welcome the transferring employees into the Airbus family and stabilise production."

The part of the business that will transfer to Boeing, or could be divested to a third-party by Spirit, mostly involves work on a range of Bombardier business jets.

Spirit's wider global business is being carved up between Boeing and Airbus, the world's largest aircraft manufacturers.

Spirit was founded in 2005 when part of Boeing's business was spun off as a separate company.

The break-up deal was initiated by Boeing which wants to bring Spirit back in house as part of its efforts to tackle manufacturing problems.

A Boeing spokesperson said taking ownership of some production in Belfast was a possible outcome they have known for "some time" and they will "warmly welcome Shorts Brothers Belfast to the Boeing family".