Under the terms of the deal, the Ayrshire site – which employs 1,200 staff – has been rebranded as Prestwick Aerosystems. It will now operate as a direct affiliate of the European aerospace giant.

The plant remains a critical hub for global aviation, continuing its vital role in manufacturing wing components for the successful A320 and A350 aircraft families.

Jerome Blandin, head of wing operations for Airbus’s commercial aircraft, confirmed that the company’s immediate priority is ensuring a “smooth transition” for the entire workforce.

The acquisition is part of a broader strategy by Airbus to gain greater control over its supply chain during a period of intense production pressure. While the deal sees Boeing reacquiring Spirit’s operations elsewhere to stabilise its own output, for Scotland, the move cements Prestwick’s position within the Airbus industrial ecosystem.