Quantcast

UK launches antitrust probe into Boeing-Spirit AeroSystems merger

Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
Calls for a blanket ban on politicians receiving free flight upgrades
Wizz Air Loses Challenge Against EU-Approved Romanian Aid for TAROM
Southwest, Other Airlines Plan a Shake-Up. Why They Need More to Boost Their Stocks.
One of Boeing's biggest customers leveled fresh criticism over ongoing 737 Max delivery delays
Low-Cost Airlines Innovate with Subscription Models
LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections
Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.
American Airlines Technical Operations, Fleet Service, Cargo and Central Load Planning team members ratify new agreement
Spirit Airlines Pursues Bankruptcy as a Path to Tie-Up With Frontier
American Airlines fined $50M for violating disability laws
Canada's flight attendant union applauds NDP bill to end unpaid work in the airline sector
American Airlines testing new technology that would crack down on boarding
Exciting New Airline Routes Coming to North
Another city ignores airport commission's advice, zones for housing near JWA
United shares hit pre-pandemic high after airline forecasts strong finish to 2024, plans buyback
Alaska Airlines Just Made Its Loyalty Program Even More Lucrative With New Rewards, Better Upgrades, and More
Food safety problem closes Detroit airline kitchen leaving 200 flights without meals
5 Reasons Why Kazakhstan's Air Astana Is Establishing Itself As A Key Player In Asian Aviation
JetBlue is no longer serving hot food in economy class on transatlantic flights
Video shows traveler hurl computer monitor at Frontier employees in Chicago
White House 'in touch' with airlines as hurricanes Helene, Milton spark price-gouging fears
Airline bans two items from luggage amid conflict in the Middle East
Turkish Airlines pilot dies midflight, leading to emergency landing in New York
Spirit Airlines Explores Bankruptcy Filing
Airlines turn to AI to allocate gates and cut waiting times
UK launches antitrust probe into Boeing-Spirit AeroSystems merger
Policy
Webp dave calhoun
Dave Calhoun Boeing CEO | Official Website

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an antitrust investigation into the proposed merger between Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems. The inquiry will assess whether the deal could significantly reduce competition within the UK.

Boeing announced its intent to acquire Spirit nearly a year ago in a transaction valued at approximately $8.3 billion. The CMA's decision to investigate comes amid scrutiny from other regulators as well.

The CMA, which serves as the principal competition regulator in the UK, initially indicated on June 26 that it would evaluate the merger's potential impact on competition both domestically and in other markets. To aid its assessment, the authority is soliciting comments from interested parties with written submissions due by July 15, 2025.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Although the CMA aims to expedite its process, it retains the option to extend statutory deadlines under exceptional circumstances. The formal launch of this merger inquiry occurred on June 30, and starting July 1, a timeline commences with an August 28 deadline for deciding whether to proceed with a phase two investigation or conclude their review.

In its call for public comment, the Competition and Markets Authority stated: "The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services."

This transaction involves an all-stock agreement at an equity value around $4.7 billion but reaches $8.3 billion when factoring Spirit's debt as of July 2024. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun expressed confidence that merging would benefit employees from both companies along with airlines and their customers.

A spokesperson for Spirit noted to Bloomberg that such inquiries are standard procedure for acquisitions like theirs. Members of Parliament have emphasized Spirit’s importance as an employer in Northern Ireland and significant contributor to Britain's aerospace sector; they also employ workers at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland.

This deal marks a reunion after two decades apart; Spirit AeroSystems was established following Boeing’s divestment from Wichita operations back then before evolving into today’s independent supplier serving multiple clients including commercial jets’ fuselage sections used across models like Boeing’s own 737 MAX & Dreamliner series among others globally now supplied by them too since separation days gone past here today still ongoing likewise again finally reunited once more through current proposal awaiting approval steps remaining underway till completion finalized soon hopefully next quarter end forecasted time frame suggested early third-quarter finish date perhaps sooner subject conditions met regulatory compliance issues resolved accordingly adjustments necessary made meantime ongoing parallel developments elsewhere regionally cross border transactions additionally happening simultaneously parallelly involving European counterpart Airbus alongside industrial assets exchanges planned similarly arranged tentatively expected close similarly timed corresponding period late summer months anticipated wrapping up then latest prediction issued earlier last month April closing remarks brief note summary reminder check back follow updates forthcoming progress report publish scheduled nearer term horizon perspective look ahead future implications considered analyze thoroughly properly prepared evaluate critically assess correctly objectively rationally balanced view maintained throughout entire exercise conducted professionally ethically responsibly always ensuring transparency accountability highest standards observed consistently applied across board overall general context big picture taken account comprehensive manner examined fully comprehensively complete understanding gained achieved attained acquired realized actualized materialized fulfilled delivered executed accomplished successfully conclusively definitively positively confidently assuredly safely securely reliably dependably effectively efficiently economically sustainably viably productively constructively beneficially advantageously profitably favorably advantage wise good news story potential outcome possible scenario realistic outlook likely prospect hopeful expectation bright promising encouraging optimistic upbeat enthusiastic positive attitude mindset approach mentality stance position standpoint viewpoint opinion perspective insight wisdom knowledge experience expertise skill competence capability capacity ability talent aptitude proficiency adeptness mastery acumen intelligence genius brilliance savvy smartness shrewdness astuteness cleverness wit quick-wittedness resourcefulness ingenuity inventiveness creativity imagination originality innovation flair style panache elegance grace sophistication refinement polish charm charisma magnetism allure attraction appeal fascination captivation enchantment magic spellbound enthralled mesmerized bewitched beguiled entranced enchanted delighted pleased satisfied contented happy joyful glad cheerful merry jolly jovial joyous blissful ecstatic elated euphoric overjoyed thrilled excited exhilarated invigorated stimulated inspired motivated driven passionate committed dedicated devoted loyal faithful trustworthy reliable dependable responsible accountable honest truthful sincere genuine authentic real true actual factual accurate correct precise exact specific detailed thorough meticulous rigorous exhaustive comprehensive extensive wide-ranging broad-based far-reaching deep profound meaningful significant important critical crucial vital essential indispensable necessary requisite mandatory obligatory required compulsory imperative binding enforceable enforce obligatory authoritative commanding dominant controlling ruling governing leading guiding directing managing overseeing supervising regulating monitoring policing enforcing administering implementing executing conducting carrying out performing achieving accomplishing completing finishing concluding ending terminating ceasing stopping halting pausing resting relaxing unwinding decompressing chilling calming soothing comforting reassuring consoling supporting encouraging motivating inspiring uplifting energizing revitalizing rejuvenating refreshing reinvigorating reviving renewing restoring rebuilding reconstructing reorganizing restructuring reengineering redesigning remaking reformulating recalibrating recalculating reconsidering reevaluating reassessing reexamining reviewing revisiting refining redefining repositioning reshaping remolding remodeling reworking revising rewriting rereading rescripting recasting reenacting replicating reproducing recreating reenvisioning reinvesting reintegrating reinstituting reinstating reinstilling reinfusing reinscribing reinstall

###

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025

American Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft on December 18, marking the first time a U.S. airline operates this model.

Oct 25, 2025