Boeing, a U.S. aerospace manufacturer, is under scrutiny by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over its planned $4.7 billion all-stock acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems. The CMA has begun a consultation period to assess whether the proposed deal could reduce market competition within the UK or globally. Feedback from stakeholders is being accepted until July 15, 2025, after which the CMA will decide whether to launch a full investigation. The move follows Boeing’s announcement earlier this year to reacquire Spirit, a company it originally spun off in 2005.
In a related shift in the aerospace supply chain, Airbus completed a transaction in April 2025 to acquire several Spirit facilities linked to its aircraft programs. According to Reuters, the developments have triggered regulatory interest on both sides of the Atlantic, given the potential implications for competition among major aircraft suppliers and manufacturers. The CMA’s current consultation marks the first step in its review process and has yet to result in a formal probe.
