The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved Boeing’s planned $4.7 billion all-stock acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, deciding not to refer the deal to a Phase 2 investigation.
The full decision text will be released shortly, but the watchdog said the review had been concluded based on available data.
The CMA clearance removes one of the final regulatory hurdles for Boeing as it moves to regain control of Spirit, the world’s largest standalone aerostructures manufacturer, which it spun off nearly two decades ago. Boeing said in a statement: “We’re pleased with the outcome and continue to work through the remaining regulatory processes.”
In parallel, Airbus is set to acquire several Spirit facilities tied to its aircraft programmes, including the A350 fuselage production sites in Kinston, North Carolina, and St. Nazaire, France; A321 and A220 component production in Casablanca, Morocco; A320 and A350 wing work at Prestwick, Scotland; and A220 pylon and wing production in Wichita, Kansas, and Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The CMA’s decision follows a turbulent period for both Boeing and Spirit. Talks to re-acquire Spirit began in March 2024 after years of losses and quality control problems at various suppliers, which intensified following the January 2024 uncontrolled decompression on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.
The incident, linked to a door plug on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 that had not been bolted in place due to a manufacturing error, placed Boeing under heightened scrutiny.
Boeing’s agreement to buy Spirit, finalised in June 2024, is valued at $4.7 billion in equity or $8.3 billion including debt. Boeing will take back control of the Wichita and Tulsa plants it previously operated, along with an MRO facility in Dallas, while divesting non-core assets. Spirit has already sold Fiber Materials in Maine and Rhode Island to Tex-Tech Industries and failed to find a buyer for its A220 mid-fuselage production in Belfast, which will now transfer to Airbus.
For Boeing, the reacquisition is aimed at consolidating supply chains, improving quality control, and reducing the risk of further high-profile manufacturing failures. Shares in Boeing rose 0.8% in morning trade following the CMA announcement.
