Belfast Job Loss Fears as Airbus Agrees Spirit AeroSystems Deal

Unions have said they have "serious concerns" over the jobs of thousands of workers at a historic aerospace factory in Belfast after they were left out of a takeover by Airbus.

- Jasper Jolly

Airbus, the world's biggest planemaker, said yesterday that it had agreed to buy parts of Spirit AeroSystems, including wing and fuselage production for the A220 small passenger jet in Belfast, that employ 1,500 workers. However, the fuselage production could be sold on to another company if Spirit finds a buyer before the Airbus deal is completed.

The deal also leaves uncertainty over the fate of a further 2,000 employees in Belfast who produce parts for companies other than Airbus. Those workers make parts for a range of customers, including Bombardier, Honda Aircraft and Rolls-Royce, from one of the world's most historic aerospace operations.