US plane manufacturer Boeing looks set to take over part of Spirit's Belfast operation as no other buyer has yet been found. The development was first reported by the Financial Times which suggested talks to find a potential other buyer had not progressed.

Boeing will acquire Spirit AeroSystems’ Belfast site as part of its planned acquisition of Spirit. That is according to Wichita-based Spirit, which says it has found no other buyer for the Short Brothers site in Belfast, Northern Ireland, meaning it will land with Boeing.

Boeing Co.’s $4.7 billion deal to buy Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. will face UK antitrust investigation, the country’s antitrust watchdog said.