Airbus Spirit AeroSystems deal Airbus Strengthens Global Supply Chain Ahead of Spirit AeroSystems Deal and 2025 Delivery Goals
PARIS: European aerospace giant Airbus has reaffirmed its confidence in meeting its ambitious 2025 production targets, thanks to a revitalized supplier network and improved operational efficiency across its global facilities. The company announced that it remains firmly on track to deliver 820 aircraft in 2025, representing a 7% increase from the previous year — a milestone that underscores Airbus’s recovery from the turbulence of post-pandemic supply chain disruptions.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the inauguration of a second A320neo-family jet assembly line in Mobile, Alabama, Florent Massou dit Labaquere, Executive Vice President for Operations, highlighted a strong resurgence of confidence among Airbus’s global suppliers. “Suppliers now fully understand our direction and are completely aligned with our goals. We’ve maintained planning stability, and that has rebuilt trust,” he stated.
The expansion in Alabama marks another significant step in Airbus’s strategy to broaden its manufacturing base, particularly in North America, where demand for single-aisle aircraft continues to surge. The company plans to open a new assembly line in China in the coming weeks — a move that will expand its global footprint to 10 final assembly lines (FALs) worldwide. This network will allow Airbus to sustain growing demand, particularly for its A321neo, a larger variant within the A320 family that remains in high demand among airlines seeking greater fuel efficiency and passenger capacity.
Airbus Spirit AeroSystems deal Targeting 75 Aircraft Per Month
Airbus has long aimed to ramp up production to 75 narrow-body aircraft per month by 2027, a goal first unveiled in 2021. However, the company faced challenges achieving this pace due to global component shortages, particularly in engines and avionics, as well as workforce constraints during the pandemic recovery phase.
Now, Airbus executives report that these bottlenecks have largely been resolved. “Earlier supplier hesitation had slowed our progress, but we’ve entered a new phase,” Massou explained. “The supplier ecosystem is now healthier, more synchronized, and ready for higher output.”
Industry sources say Airbus is currently building about 63 aircraft per month, supplementing active production with previously stored inventory to meet delivery schedules. While this reflects strong short-term performance, some suppliers remain cautious, warning that sustained high production levels toward year-end could strain certain component supply chains again if demand spikes unexpectedly.
Airbus Spirit AeroSystems deal The Spirit AeroSystems Deal
A major highlight of Airbus’s current strategy is its long-awaited Spirit AeroSystems acquisition deal, which is expected to be finalized by the fourth quarter of 2025. The transaction, which will see Airbus and Boeing divide key Spirit AeroSystems assets, is viewed as a pivotal move to secure long-term supply chain stability.
Spirit AeroSystems, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aircraft fuselages and structural components, has been a key supplier to both aerospace giants. The company’s financial instability in recent years raised concerns about the reliability of critical parts supply — a factor that prompted both Airbus and Boeing to intervene.
Under the proposed deal, Airbus is expected to take over Spirit’s facilities that primarily serve its own production programs, including sites that manufacture A350 fuselage panels and A220 components. Boeing will assume control of U.S.-based facilities linked to its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner programs.
Analysts say the division of assets will reduce dependency risks, enhance operational control, and improve quality oversight across both manufacturers’ supply chains. “This deal will effectively reset the industrial balance between Airbus and Boeing,” commented aerospace analyst Omar Nokta of Jefferies. “For Airbus, it’s a strategic safeguard to ensure steady output in the years ahead.”
Airbus Spirit AeroSystems deal Confidence Among Suppliers and Market Outlook
Massou’s remarks about improved supplier alignment echo similar sentiments from Boeing executives, who recently acknowledged a stabilization in their own production lines. This parallel recovery among both manufacturers suggests that the broader aerospace supply chain — spanning thousands of companies across Europe, North America, and Asia — is finally returning to pre-pandemic normalcy.
Suppliers working with Airbus have confirmed notable progress in areas such as composite materials, cabin interiors, and engine components. Many have also expanded capacity to accommodate Airbus’s growing needs, with additional hiring and automation investments to reduce delays.
Despite this renewed confidence, challenges persist. Some suppliers caution that the rapid pace of Airbus’s ramp-up may still expose vulnerabilities in logistics, raw material availability, and skilled labor shortages in certain regions. “Airbus’s targets are achievable, but the execution window is narrow,” said one European supplier executive. “The coordination between Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers will be critical.”
Airbus Spirit AeroSystems deal Expanding Global Manufacturing Footprint
With operations now expanding in both the United States and China, Airbus’s global manufacturing footprint will be more diversified than ever. The second Mobile, Alabama assembly line will significantly enhance Airbus’s U.S. capacity for the A320neo family — the best-selling single-aisle jet series competing directly with Boeing’s 737 MAX.
In China, the new line will further strengthen Airbus’s position in one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. Beijing’s continued support for local manufacturing partnerships has helped Airbus maintain a strong commercial presence, even amid geopolitical uncertainty. Once both expansion projects are operational, Airbus will be uniquely positioned to serve airlines in Asia, Europe, and North America with shorter delivery timelines and reduced logistical costs.
Airbus Spirit AeroSystems deal Industry Perspective
Market analysts believe Airbus’s consistent progress and the Spirit AeroSystems acquisition could collectively redefine global aerospace dynamics. By integrating critical supply chains, Airbus is expected to reduce costs, increase production reliability, and enhance its ability to respond swiftly to airline orders.
“Airbus has learned from the supply chain shocks of the past few years,” said Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory. “The company’s proactive strategy — expanding production sites, reabsorbing critical suppliers, and maintaining open communication with its ecosystem — places it in a far stronger position than many expected.”
As 2025 approaches, Airbus’s ability to deliver on its 820-aircraft target will serve as a key indicator of how effectively it has rebuilt its industrial momentum. With the Spirit AeroSystems deal nearing completion and production scaling steadily, the company appears well-positioned to sustain its leadership in the global aviation market.
