Following the conclusion of a deal between Bombardier Group and Spirit AeroSystems, the one-time home of Short Brothers & Harland at Belfast changed hands last Friday 30 October.

This follows a long-term plan by Bombardier to withdraw from passenger aircraft production and Spirit’s intention to further expand its airframe structures portfolio.  The Belfast factory is a major component supplier for the retitled C series aircraft and now emerging as the very successful Airbus A220.  Delta Airlines recently took delivery of their first A220-300 with the order book standing at 639 with 123 delivered.

Belfast stalwart and now Vice President, General Manager, Spirit AeroSystems, Belfast, Michael Ryan had this to say. “Today marks a momentous milestone for our aerostructures and aftermarket businesses in Belfast, Casablanca and Dallas.  We’re delighted to join Spirit AeroSystems and help shape its strategic repositioning in global aerospace.  We bring a rich heritage in aviation, including world-class skills in design, manufacturing and aftermarket and, as part of Spirit, we look forward to leveraging complementary capabilities and capacity.  I’d like to thank Bombardier for more than 30 years of commitment and support, and all my aerostructures and aftermarket services colleagues for their continued dedication.”

Spirit was once part of Boeing but is now a listed company on the New York Stock Exchange in its own right.  It supplies Boeing with the fuselage for the 737 and major elements for the 787.  Airbus is also a customer with fuselage sections and front wing spars for the Airbus A350.  It also owns a Glasgow Prestwick facility once the home of Scottish Aviation, then BAe Systems.

www.bombardier.com/en/aviation.html

www.spiritaero.com