Spirit AeroSystems said on Tuesday it would receive up to $350 million in advance payments from its largest customer Boeing and up to $107 million from Airbus , giving the struggling supplier a lifeline as it burns cash after four consecutive years of losses.

The payments are intended to help address high levels of inventory and lower operational cash flows.

One week after Spirit AeroSystems announced it has "substantial doubt" about its ability to continue as a going concern, Boeing is offering help.

Spirit said this week it is seeking ways to raise liquidity including possible customer advances. The supplier has previously disclosed it has drawn down a $350-million bridge loan set up when Boeing agreed to acquire the supplier, and previous advances from both the U.S. planemaker and rival Airbus that Spirit has not repaid.

"We would not be surprised to see another such arrangement be announced," a prominent Wall Street aerospace sector analyst said.

Spirit AeroSystems said Tuesday that planemaker Boeing will pay up to $350 million in advance payments to the firm, providing the struggling supplier a lifeline as it continues to burn cash after four consecutive years of losses.

Spirit AeroSystems said on Tuesday that Boeing will pay a total of up to $350 million in advance payments to the firm, providing the struggling supplier a lifeline as it continues to burn cash after four consecutive years of losses.