BRUSSELS, March 19 (Reuters) - French engine and

aircraft equipment maker Safran has offered the sale of

a business in North America which it agreed in December, as a

remedy to address EU concerns about its $1.8 billion bid for

Collins Aerospace's flight controls business, a person with

direct knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday.

Safran submitted its offer to the European Commission last

Friday which subsequently sought feedback from rivals and

customers before it decides whether to accept the proposal,

demand more concessions or open a four-month long investigation.

The EU antitrust watchdog asked whether there are suitable

buyers for Safran's electromechanical actuation business in

North America, the person said.

Safran already agreed to sell the unit in December,

including its intellectual property, operations assets, staff,

and customer agreements for its horizontal stabilizer trim

actuation systems, to U.S. aircraft parts maker Woodward. The

Commission's questionnaire did not mention Woodward, the person

said.

Actuators convert electronic instructions from the cockpit

to the physical movement of parts to help control aircraft, for

example by providing extra lift during landing.

Safran referred to its December 20 announcement on its

agreement with Woodward, when asked to comment. It said at the

time it expected the deal to complete mid-2025.

Respondents have been given until Thursday to comment on the

offer. Collins is Safran's biggest deal since it acquired seat

maker Zodiac in 2018.