Aeronautics: Spirit AeroSystems launches production of fuselage components in Morocco

Spirit AeroSystems, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets has recently started producing at its Morocco plant the fuselage components, the front and rear section of the Airbus A220 aircraft. The site has developed expertise in the manufacturing of components for Bombardier business jets and has now joined the Spirit sites which already supply Airbus commercial programs.

The fuselage components are shipped from Morocco for assembly at Spirit’s site in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Both sites were acquired by Spirit in 2020 as part of a major diversification strategy, adding significant Airbus content, and further developing Spirit’s global footprint and aftermarket services business.

The official launch of the production of Airbus A220 aircraft fuselage components at Spirit AeroSystems 25,000 sqm site in Midparc, in Casabalanca, which was recently expanded, took place on Monday.

Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour who attended the ceremony expressed pride to present the largest aircraft part built in Africa.

“Today, we proudly celebrate the booming growth of this site, whose construction works had been launched by King Mohammed VI, in September 2013 at Midparc. Since that time, this cutting-edge plant has established itself as one of the flagships of the aerospace industry in Morocco, he stated.

Spirit’s new program to produce the largest fuselage sections in Africa further strengthens the positioning of the Kingdom on complex processes with high added value, as well as the international influence of the national aerospace ecosystem, the minister added.

For his part, Vice President and General Manager of Spirit AeroSystems in Morocco, Stephen Orr, noted that the group has developed an ambitious roadmap to accelerate the site’s growth with the support of the Ministry of Industry, saying the group is delighted to expand its manufacturing capacity to include this latest Airbus program.

“We look forward to working with the Spirit team in Belfast, which also supplies the integrated wing for the A220 aircraft, and building a strong and rewarding relationship with Airbus,” he noted.

In the same vein, Mikail Houari, President of Airbus Africa and the Middle East, noted that the Kingdom already manufactures parts for all Airbus commercial aircraft, including the A220,

“This aircraft is the latest addition to our product range and therefore to our industrial footprint in Morocco,” he added.