European Competition Commissioner
Margrethe Vestager said Thursday that the EU executive's
approval of Lufthansa's acquisition of a 41% stake in Italy's
ITA Airways was dependant on how the companies aim to resolve
problems the move creates regarding routes.
"We have to wait a little longer," said Vestager told RaiNews24
on the sidelines of the G7 Industry meeting in Verona when asked
about when the Commission would make a decision on the deal.
"It depends on how the companies respond.
"A very detailed examination has been done to see if there are
any overlaps on routes.
"If the both fly the same routes, one would have to close
theirs, and so prices would increase.
"We are waiting to find a solution to this problem, both from
ITA and Lufthansa, so that this merger can take place."
In January the European Commission launched an in-depth
investigation into the proposed deal between Lufthansa and ITA
Airways, taking to phase two the antitrust examination of the
transaction that began in late November after the Italian
Treasury, currently the sole owner of the company that replaced
the loss-making former flag-carrier Alitalia in 2021, and the
German carrier formally notified Brussels of the plans.
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