Boeing buys back supplier Spirit amid safety fears [Video]

Boeing has agreed to buy an aerospace supplier in a $4.7bn (€4.4bn) deal as it tries to contain its ongoing safety crisis, writes Leah Montebello.

The scandal-hit airline said the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems was in the “best interests” of its passengers.

Spirit manufactures and supplies key parts of Boeing planes including the wings and main body of the aircraft.

Boeing previously owned the Kansas-based group before spinning it off in 2005 as it pushed ahead with plans to slim down the business.

But this strategy has come under fire in recent years as Boeing faces a series of safety issues. The group was plunged into crisis in January after a faulty door panel, manufactured by Spirit, blew off a Boeing 737 MAX plane mid-air.

The incident, which happened at 16,000 feet on an Alaska Airlines flight, terrified passengers and led to all Boeing 737 Max planes being grounded.

Production was halted and …