THE future of a major aerospace manufacturing plant in South Ayrshire has been secured with more than 1100 jobs saved.
Plane maker Airbus has revealed plans to acquire Spirit AeroSystems, based in Prestwick, in a deal which will see around 1150 of the approximately 1200 employees retained.
However, Airbus warned it will “assess its long-term strategy” for the Prestwick site following the agreement with Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems.
Last summer, US plane manufacturer Boeing acquired Spirit AeroSystems, raising questions over what would happen to the Prestwick site, which makes the leading edge of wings for the A320 and A350 aircraft.
Airbus said on Monday that production at the site will continue for the time being.
A spokesperson for the firm said: “In Prestwick, Airbus-related work packages will transfer to Airbus under a pre-agreed option with Spirit. These operations support the A320 and A350 programmes.
“While Prestwick will be acquired to ensure continuity of production, it will operate as an affiliate business. Airbus will assess its long-term strategy for the site as part of ongoing industrial planning.”
Spirit AeroSystems' operation at Prestwick is part of an aerospace cluster in and around Prestwick Airport, which employs around 4000 people.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “We welcome the announcement that an agreement has been reached for Spirit’s Airbus activity at Prestwick to transfer to Airbus later this year.
“Spirit is a key component of Scotland’s aerospace sector, and the Ayrshire site has excellent manufacturing and innovative capabilities and a talented workforce.”
Last week, Forbes said the Scottish Government has “very clear lines” that it wants Prestwick Airport to continue to operate as an airport after any sale.
Her comments follow First Minister John Swinney’s remarks that there is an active bid for the airport.
The Deputy First Minister said last week that the Scottish Government was making progress in their attempt to return Prestwick Airport to the private sector.
The Scottish Government rescued the airport in 2013 by buying it from the New Zealand firm Infratil for £1.
