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UK Antitrust Regulator Probes Boeing’s $4.7 Billion Spirit AeroSystems Deal

By  |  June 30, 2025

Boeing Co.’s planned $4.7 billion acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. is now under scrutiny by the United Kingdom’s competition watchdog, potentially adding regulatory headwinds to the aircraft manufacturer’s high-stakes move to consolidate its supply chain.

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    The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced it will assess whether the deal could result in a “substantial lessening of competition” in the UK, raising questions about how the transaction might affect market dynamics in the aerospace sector. The watchdog has set a deadline of August 28 to determine whether to clear the transaction or escalate the review into a more in-depth probe, according to Bloomberg.

    Boeing originally unveiled the deal in 2023, estimating the total transaction value at $8.3 billion, which includes the assumption of Spirit’s net debt. The proposed merger marks a significant step in Boeing’s efforts to bring critical manufacturing capabilities back in-house, particularly for its flagship commercial jets such as the 737 and 787 Dreamliner.

    Related: UK Competition Watchdog Reviews Boeing’s Plan to Reacquire Spirit AeroSystems

    The CMA’s investigation follows a pattern of heightened global scrutiny over large aerospace and defense mergers, where concerns about supply chain control and competition frequently draw regulatory attention. Per Bloomberg, a spokesperson for Spirit AeroSystems noted that the inquiry was expected and described it as a “normal process for acquisitions of this nature.” Boeing has yet to publicly comment on the CMA’s announcement.

    If finalized, the deal would reunite Boeing with Spirit nearly 20 years after the Wichita-based manufacturer was spun off in 2005 as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy. Since then, Spirit has remained a key supplier, producing major aerostructures critical to Boeing’s commercial aircraft.

    Source: Bloomberg