Boeing, an aerospace manufacturer, has received approval from the European Union for its $4.7 billion acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems after agreeing to divest certain assets to maintain fair competition. The deal, announced in July 2024, is intended to streamline Boeing’s operations and enhance quality control, marking a strategic step years after it spun off Spirit, a key aircraft component supplier.
The European Commission approved the merger following Boeing’s commitment to sell all of Spirit’s aerostructure businesses that currently supply Airbus to the European aircraft maker. Additionally, Boeing will divest Spirit’s Malaysian site that provides parts to Airbus to Composites Technology Research Malaysia, allowing the company to enter the aerostructure market. EU Antitrust Chief Teresa Ribera stated, “Boeing’s commitments will preserve competition in this crucial market and enable the entry of a new rival, and ensure commercial aircraft makers get the parts they need at competitive prices.”
