Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., (NYSE: SPR) the world's largest independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components, today celebrated completion of the 1,000th Boeing 777 forward fuselage section. The section will be shipped to Boeing's final assembly facility in Everett, Wash., later this week.

"Today we congratulate not only our customer Boeing on this significant milestone, but also the employees at Spirit who have been instrumental to this program," said Mike King, senior vice president and chief operations officer. "Their dedication and relentless drive toward continuous improvement shows with the success of this airplane."

The 777 forward fuselage is built in five major assemblies at Spirit's Wichita, Kan., facility. The assemblies are loaded onto rail cars and shipped to Boeing for final assembly. The majority of the aluminum alloy section is designed in CATIA computer software by Spirit and Boeing engineers.

"We are very proud to be part of such a tremendous event and congratulate our partner Boeing for such a successful aircraft," said David Coleal, senior vice president/general manager, Fuselage Segment. "As the world's largest supplier of commercial assemblies and components, Spirit fuselage employees are excited and proud to celebrate another significant achievement with the production of the 1,000th 777 fuselage for our Boeing customer. This highly skilled fuselage team takes great pride in producing the highest quality aerostructures in the world."

Spirit AeroSystems also supplies the forward fairing, strut, thrust reverser assembly, inlet and fan cowl assemblies, floor beams, seat tracks, leading edge slats and fixed leading edge for the 777 family of airplanes.

The 1,000th 777 is scheduled to be completed by Boeing in February and delivered to customer Emirates in March.