Doha – Airbus has finalized a definitive agreement to acquire Spirit AeroSystems’ Casablanca facility, the European aircraft manufacturer announced on Monday. The Moroccan site, which produces components for the A321 and A220 aircraft models, is among several strategic assets included in the deal. The transaction , valued at $439 million, encompasses multiple production facilities across Europe and North America. In addition to the Casablanca site, Airbus will take control of operations in Saint-Nazaire (France), Kinston and Wichita (United States), and Belfast (Northern Ireland). The Casablanca facility, spanning 25,000 square meters, was previously acquired by Spirit AeroSystems following Bombardier’s departure in 2019. Production at the site began in June 2022, with approximately 800 employees, a figure that was expected to reach 1,000. The facility manufactures leading edge wing components and the ventral beam for the A220, as well as flap track stringers for the A321. “This acquisition aims to secure the long-term sustainability of these operations, in a context of significant production ramp-up,” Airbus Atlantic stated in its press release. Once the integration is complete, the Moroccan facility will be renamed Airbus Atlantic Maroc Aero, similar to the Saint-Nazaire site which will become Airbus Atlantic Cadréan. The completion of the transaction is expected in the third quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. According to Airbus, the deal will help “secure supply continuity” for its commercial aircraft programs while ensuring a “sustainable approach, both operationally and financially,” for the most sensitive work packages. In parallel to the acquisition, Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding with Spirit AeroSystems for interest-free credit lines totaling $200 million to support the European manufacturer’s strategic programs. Spirit AeroSystems, which reported a net loss of $616 million in 2023, has been under scrutiny following a series of production and safety issues. The company was originally formed in 2005 when Boeing decided to group its activities in Wichita, Tulsa, and McAlester into an independent company. The integration of the Casablanca site into Airbus’ global network reinforces the European manufacturer’s position as a leader in the aerospace industry while elevating North Africa’s strategic importance in its ecosystem.
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