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UK launches antitrust probe into Boeing-Spirit AeroSystems merger

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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.

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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

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