The European Commission has approved EasyJet, IAG, and Air France-KLM (AFKLM) as suitable remedy takers (29 November) in the merger of Lufthansa and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) for joint control over ITA Airways. This approval is a critical step for the transaction to proceed under EU competition rules.
The remedies include:
- Short-haul routes: EasyJet will gain assets and slots for flights connecting Rome, Milan, and Central Europe.
- Long-haul routes: IAG and AFKLM will enhance competitiveness on routes between Italy and North America.
- Milan Linate slots: EasyJet will take over take-off and landing slots at the congested Milan Linate airport.
The Commission verified the independence, financial resources, and competitive incentives of the remedy takers, concluding they meet the criteria to ensure fair competition. With this approval, Lufthansa and MEF can implement the ITA Airways transaction.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_6123
