22
Feb 2026
17th Dec 2025
The global aerospace sector is entering one of the most significant periods of growth and structural change since before the pandemic. Passenger numbers have surged past pre-2020 levels, aircraft order books are full to the point of stretching production schedules into the next decade, and major strategic moves — including Airbus and Boeing’s joint acquisition and division of Spirit AeroSystems — are reshaping supply chains at the highest tiers.
For advanced manufacturers across the UK, including precision engineering specialists like Rowan Precision, the message is clear: aerospace is accelerating, and supply chains must be ready to deliver at scale, at speed and with absolute reliability.
The announcement that Airbus and Boeing have completed their long-awaited carve-up of Spirit AeroSystems is the latest signal of an industry consolidating, modernising and gearing up for prolonged growth. Spirit, Northern Ireland’s most significant manufacturing employer, has long been a vital node in the global aerostructures ecosystem. Now, its Belfast operations are being divided between the two aerospace giants — Boeing assuming ownership of the bulk of the site, with Airbus taking over A220 wing and mid-fuselage production to support its fast-rising output targets.
Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald called it a demonstration of Northern Ireland’s position as a “global hub for aerospace innovation”. Industry bodies echoed that sentiment, emphasising that the involvement of both major OEMs creates long-term stability for the region’s 3,500 employees and strengthens the UK’s role in the global aerospace landscape.
The timing could not be more significant. Passenger traffic worldwide has continued its steep climb, with IATA forecasting another year of passenger growth above 10%. Airlines, facing capacity shortages, are pushing for faster deliveries; Airbus and Boeing combined have outlined aggressive ramp-ups for 2026–2030, particularly in single-aisle jets like the A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX — programmes that anchor vast supply chains, from composite structures to precision-machined components.
For Rowan Precision, which serves several aerospace primes and tier-one suppliers, the sector’s momentum is already reaching the shop floor. CFO Glenn Aston sees the Spirit restructuring as part of a broader narrative of renewal.
“Aerospace is entering a long cycle of growth, and the consolidation we’re seeing at the top signals real intent from OEMs to stabilise production and improve supply chain performance,” Aston says. “For companies like Rowan Precision, this creates both opportunity and responsibility. Our customers need partners who can scale, adapt and deliver consistently as build rates increase.”
That consistency has become a strategic focus. With Airbus aiming for record annual deliveries by 2027 and Boeing seeking to rebuild production strength, demand for precision-machined parts — particularly complex, multi-operation components — is rising sharply. Rowan’s advanced sliding-head machining, twin-spindle mill-turn platforms, and the latest metrology technologies places it among a small cohort of UK suppliers ready to absorb that demand.
Technical Sales Manager Neil Williams, who works closely with aerospace customers across Europe, says the uptick is palpable.
“We’re seeing programme schedules extending well beyond 2030, and customers are planning further ahead than ever,” Williams explains. “The Spirit acquisition reinforces the need for a resilient and agile supply chain. With more work returning to the UK and Europe, there’s a real opportunity for British firms that can guarantee quality, traceability and on-time delivery.”
Williams also notes that production stability — long a challenge for the aerospace giants — is becoming central to sustaining growth.
“Airbus and Boeing cannot afford variability in their supply chains anymore. Every bolt, bracket and machined housing affects the wider build schedule. This is where Rowan’s advanced capability pays off.”
The implications of the Spirit deal extend beyond Northern Ireland. Boeing’s reintegration of its former subsidiary shows a desire to tighten its control of critical processes amid ongoing manufacturing scrutiny. Meanwhile, Airbus’s acquisition of the A220 work packages strengthens its position in one of the fastest-growing market segments: fuel-efficient, next-generation narrow-body aircraft.
For UK suppliers, this dual dynamic — one OEM consolidating, another expanding — presents a unique landscape. Companies that demonstrate operational stability, quality excellence and readiness for long-term partnerships may find themselves closer to the core of global programmes.
Aston is optimistic, but measured.
“Growth in aerospace is extremely encouraging, and this is also a moment for discipline. The manufacturers who thrive will be those who invest in process control, automation and people. Rowan is aligning itself to that future — a future where precision, speed and reliability define the winners.”
As 2026 approaches, aerospace is not simply rebounding — it is reorganising itself for a decade of expansion. Airbus and Boeing are cleaning up supply chains, increasing oversight, and bringing critical capabilities in-house. Airports are full again, airlines are ordering aggressively, and the world’s demand for lighter, safer, greener aircraft continues to rise.
Meanwhile, companies like Rowan Precision stand ready — armed with new technology, strengthened processes and a growing reputation — to support the next generation of flight.
In an era where global aerospace is accelerating, the UK’s advanced manufacturers have a vital role to play: ensuring that every new aircraft taking to the skies carries with it the quiet confidence of uncompromising engineering excellence.