Brazil antitrust regulator gives nod to Boeing-Embraer deal

[BRASILIA] Technical staff at Brazilian antitrust regulator Cade on Monday approved Boeing's purchase of Embraer SA's commercial aviation division without restrictions, according to a statement on the agency's website.

Cade's top administrative council could still call for a reconsideration of the case, putting the matter to a vote.

Boeing has offered to pay US$4.2 billion for 80 per cent of Embraer's commercial jet division, which builds passenger jets in the 70- to 150-seat segment.

That puts it in direct competition with next-generation jets designed by Bombardier Inc and acquired by Europe's Airbus SE, which rebranded them the A220 programme.

The Boeing-Embraer deal is still under investigation pending regulatory approval in the European Union which has set an April 30 deadline to decide on the case.

REUTERS