France · Competition
Why France cleared Airbus’s purchase of selected Spirit assets
France cleared Airbus’s purchase of selected Spirit AeroSystems assets in October 2025. The deal was part of a broader split in which Boeing bought Spirit subject to commitments accepted by the European Commission.
Sources checked
- 28 April 2025Airbus announces a definitive agreement
The agreement covers industrial assets dedicated to Airbus commercial aircraft. Source 1
- 19 September 2025Airbus notifies the French authority
The notification covers acquisition of sole control over selected Spirit assets. Source 2
- 14 October 2025European Commission clears Boeing transaction
The wider acquisition receives conditional clearance. Source 3
- 16 October 2025French authority clears Airbus transaction
The French review concludes without conditions. Source 2
- 8 December 2025Airbus closes its transaction
The closing release lists production sites and a planned pylon work transfer. Source 4
The French clearance and the European Commission clearance cover separate acquisitions.
The assets made parts for existing Airbus aircraft
The French regulator describes a supplier relationship in which the targeted production assets were already configured to make structures for Airbus commercial aircraft. It concluded that taking those activities in-house would have no significant effect on competing aircraft manufacturers or third-party suppliers in the markets it reviewed. Source 2
The wider Boeing acquisition carried conditions
The European Commission reviewed Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit, a supplier to both Boeing and Airbus. The Commission accepted commitments including divestments to address risks in aerostructures and commercial aircraft markets. The French decision describes the Airbus transfer as part of those structural commitments. Source 3 Source 2
The closing release names the production locations
Airbus listed A350 fuselage sections at Saint-Nazaire in France and Kinston in the United States, A220 wing and mid-fuselage activities in Belfast, and A321 and A220 components in Casablanca. It also said A220 pylon production would transfer from Wichita to Toulouse. Source 4
Agreement, clearance and closing mark separate steps
Airbus announced its definitive agreement in April. French clearance followed in October and Airbus reported closing in December. The company’s closing list is the relevant source for which work packages transferred at that stage. Source 1 Source 2 Source 4