UK Probes Boeing’s $4.7B Deal for Spirit AeroSystems

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Boeing’s proposed $4.7 billion acquisition of long-time partner Spirit AeroSystems. Announced on June 30, 2025, the regulator’s inquiry will assess whether the merger could result in a significant reduction of competition in UK markets for goods or services, as outlined under the Enterprise Act 2002.

The deal, first revealed in mid-2024, is a major strategic move by Boeing to stabilize and regain control over its supply chain following several high-profile safety and production issues, including the January 2024 incident in which a door plug detached from an Alaska Airlines 737-9 shortly after takeoff. Boeing sees the acquisition as critical to improving manufacturing quality, with Spirit AeroSystems CEO Pat Shanahan claiming the merger would make Boeing a “faster and more nimble” company.

The CMA’s phase one inquiry will consider whether a “relevant merger situation” exists and whether the takeover would lead to a substantial lessening of competition. The regulator has invited input from interested parties and set a deadline of August 28, 2025, for a phase one decision.

Spirit AeroSystems plays a crucial role in the UK aerospace industry, with manufacturing operations in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Its facilities in Belfast and at Glasgow Prestwick Airport are key employers and contribute significantly to the UK’s aerospace supply chain. UK Members of Parliament have already voiced concern over the potential impact of the merger on jobs and industrial strategy.

While Spirit is a major supplier to Boeing, it also manufactures fuselage components for Airbus. As part of the deal, Airbus is expected to acquire the segments of Spirit’s operations related to its aircraft, allowing the European manufacturer to retain direct control over its own production lines.

The outcome of the CMA’s investigation could carry broader implications for global aerospace supply dynamics and transatlantic trade relations, especially given Spirit’s involvement with multiple aircraft programs and the strategic importance of its UK operations.

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