Boeing's proposed $4.7 billion takeover of Spirit AeroSystems receives clearance from UK competition authorities
Boeing Co.'s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. is one step closer to completion, following the UK Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) clearance of the deal. The transaction, valued at $4.7 billion, will make Spirit a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing.
The CMA's clearance came after a thorough investigation, concluding that the deal did not raise competition concerns significant enough to block it. The agency plans to publish the detailed reasoning for its decision shortly. This clearance is considered part of a normal regulatory process for transactions of this nature.
However, the deal is still pending and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to the completion of required divestitures and regulatory approvals. Spirit will need to divest certain Airbus-related business units as part of the approval conditions.
The US Federal Trade Commission has also requested additional information, temporarily extending the review, but no final US decision has been publicly announced yet.
The deal, once completed, will reunite Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems after being separated for two decades. Spirit AeroSystems is a key supplier for Boeing's 737, 787 Dreamliner, and other commercial jets. The total transaction value of the deal, including Spirit's net debt, is $8.3 billion.
Boeing agreed to buy Spirit for $37.25 a share in an all-stock deal, which was announced in July last year. Boeing did not respond to an email for comment as of the announcement.
The transaction between Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems will also involve Airbus SE taking over parts of Spirit that make components for the European planemaker. The reasons for the CMA's decision to wave the deal through have not been immediately published.
[1] Boeing Co.'s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending completion of required divestitures and regulatory approvals. [2] The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) cleared the acquisition in August 2025 after investigating the deal, concluding it did not raise competition concerns significant enough to block it. [3] The transaction between Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems will also involve Airbus SE taking over parts of Spirit that make components for the European planemaker. [4] The deal requires Spirit to divest certain Airbus-related business units as part of the approval conditions. [5] The US Federal Trade Commission has also requested additional information, temporarily extending the review, but no final US decision has been publicly announced yet.
[1] The expected closing of Boeing Co.'s acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025, contingent upon the completion of necessary divestitures and regulatory approvals.
[2] The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) granted clearance to Boeing's acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems in August 2025, following a thorough investigation that found the deal did not pose significant competition concerns.
[3] As part of the transaction between Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, Airbus SE is set to acquire parts of Spirit that fabricate components for European aircraft.
[4] To meet approval conditions, Spirit AeroSystems will be required to divest certain business units related to Airbus.
[5] The US Federal Trade Commission has extended the review process by requesting additional information, but a final US decision regarding the deal has not been publicly announced yet.
