Spirit AeroSystems Furloughs As Many As 300 Employees

By Pune Media On Jun 10, 2025

Following furloughs just last month, Spirit AeroSystems is furloughing another 250-300 workers for a period of two to three weeks. KSN-TV reported that the previously furloughed employees have returned to work, but some of the same staff could be impacted in the next round of temporary layoffs.

Launch Customer(s): Malindo Air
Length: 129 ft 8 in (39.52 m)
Wingspan: 117 ft 10 in (35.9 m)
Height: 40 ft 4 in (12.3 m)
Engine Options: CFM International LEAP-1B
Range: 3,550 NM (6,570 km)

In May, Spirit temporarily laid off employees due to surplus parts production on two 737 programs. The layoffs affected employees on the composite fabrication and thrust reverser programs and lasted roughly one month, as KAKE of ABC News reported.

All In On Boeing

Photo: US Air Force

Spirit is one of the most important subcontractors of Boeing’s 737 MAX program, producing the fuselage. Simple Flying wrote in February of this year that the company had a substantial inventory of ready-to-go hulls waiting for the next step in assembly. The MAX program has had many issues since the tragic mishaps that led to the crash of two jets in 2018 and 2019 that have seen significant production setbacks.

The ready-to-ship aerostructure will help substantially as Boeing ramps up to increase MAX deliveries under the recent tariff relief. Spirit has actually been lagging behind the monthly quota of 38 fuselages, producing 31 per month recently. That number was even lower before recent improvements, at 21 a month, so the surplus inventory is expected to help offset Boeing’s needs as Spirit continues to increase assembly line output.

The shareholders of Spirit AeroSystems voted to approve the acquisition by The Boeing Company after announcing the planned transaction in the summer of 2024. Irene Esteves, Spirit AeroSystems’ Chief Financial Officer, commented in a company press release from January 2025:

“Our shareholders’ resounding approval today represents an important milestone in our carefully planned merger with Boeing. As we continue executing our transition plan, we remain focused on Spirit’s foundational principles of safety, compliance and quality.”

Out With Airbus

Photo: Spirit AeroSystems

Splitting up the Spirit Aerosystems business has been in the works for many months, with the division of intellectual property being the main point of contention that has taken time to negotiate. As Simple Flying’s Gaurav Joshi previously reported, the most significant facilities that will be divested are the Airbus A350 fuselage plant in North Carolina and A220wing factory in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The acquisition by Boeing is the driving force behind the departure from Airbus’ supply chain. Not only due to the potential for conflicts of interest and complexities caused by working for both of the world’s largest aircraft makers, but also to allow for greater efficiency. Consolidating and simplifying operations is one of Spirit’s goals as it strives to keep up with the 737 MAX supply chain.

In April 2025, Spirit announced the divestiture of Airbus structures assets and sites as part of the planned acquisition by Boeing. Irene Esteves made a statement regarding the agreement with Airbus:

“For many years, Spirit’s collaboration with Airbus allowed us to deliver aerostructures for some of their most important aircraft programs. Entering into this agreement is a significant milestone as we work towards the closing of the Boeing acquisition, to the benefit of Spirit, its stockholders and other stakeholders.”

Airbus Inks Final Deal For Spirit AeroSystems Aircraft Assets

Airbus said that its dealings with Spirit AeroSystems should be finalized sometime in Q3 of this year.

The Future Of Spirit Aerosystems

Photo: US Air Force

Spirit AeroSystems builds over 70% of the 737 Next-Generation aircraft, primarily including the fuselage, according to the company. Spirit is also a major supplier for Boeing’s 737 MAX program, defense contracts and the 787 Dreamliner program.

Spirit AeroSystems’ absorption by Boeing is hoped to bring enhanced in-house operations by improving supply chain management and resolving quality issues. Recent furloughs are likely a reflection of the surplus inventory that has accumulated while the MAX program, and given the stated temporary nature of the layoffs, are likely to be unnecessary once MAX production ramps up.

Only time will tell if the 737 MAX deliveries begin to speed up but recent events show promise, as the tariff pause has allowed renewed deliveries to China. We will have to wait and see how the trade war unfolds to determine the direction that both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems take into the future.

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