FTC Requires Boeing to Divest Spirit AeroSystems Assets

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized a consent order requiring The Boeing Company to divest significant assets of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. to resolve antitrust concerns related to Boeing's proposed $8.3 billion acquisition of Spirit. The final decision and order, issued on February 17, 2026, mandates specific asset divestitures to ensure the merger does not harm competition. This action follows an earlier agreement containing consent orders from December 3, 2025, and a complaint outlining the FTC's initial concerns.

This regulatory action means that Boeing must comply with the divestiture requirements outlined in the consent order. While the document does not specify a compliance deadline for the divestiture itself, the finalization of the order signifies that the merger's approval is contingent upon these conditions. Companies involved in mergers and acquisitions, particularly in concentrated industries like aerospace manufacturing, should be aware of the FTC's scrutiny regarding potential anticompetitive effects and the requirement for divestitures to gain regulatory approval.