The Federal Trade Commission has ordered Boeing to divest significant Spirit AeroSystems assets to address antitrust concerns surrounding its $8.3 billion acquisition. Boeing must sell Spirit's Malaysia-based aerostructures operations and maintain supply agreements with competitors including Airbus.
Boeing has completed its $4.7 billion acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, reabsorbing a critical supplier of airplane structures for commercial jets as well as defense aircraft such as the KC-46 and B-21. The acquisition allows Boeing to acquire all of Spirit's Boeing-related operations, including fuselage construction for the 737 and other commercial jets that are the basis for military planes like the P-8A Poseidon maritime aircraft.
Fitch Ratings has upgraded its outlook for the aerospace and defense industry, citing record aircraft backlogs, rising defense spending, and supply chains showing signs of recovery. Airlines are flying more passengers and long-haul travel has rebounded, giving manufacturers clearer visibility into production.