Boeing, Spirit had hoped to announce deal as soon as this week - WSJ

Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR) had hoped to announce a deal as soon as this, according to a WSJ report. Spirit ticked up 0.7% in premarket trading.

The companies haven't yet been able to reach an agreement, which is complicated as Spirit (SPR) also supplies parts to Boeing's rival Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF), the WSJ reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The report comes after Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, who announced he would be stepping down at the end of the year, said on Monday that he hoped a deal with Spirit (SPR) would be inked soon.

"I hope soon," Calhoun said in an interview with CNBC on Monday, "We are making progress. The teams are working closely together. We have to get to real agreements. I hope it's soon and it's very important."

The comments come after Boeing (BA) and Spirit (SPR) earlier this month confirmed that they were in preliminary acquisition talks, following several media reports about a possible deal.

Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) may consider buying some Spirit (SPR) assets if Boeing (BA) were to buy the aircraft parts supplier, the French airplane maker's chief financial officer told CNBC on Friday. Spirit manufactures the wings for the Airbus A220 aircraft and also a section for the A350 model.