EU to review Ita-Lufthansa deal 'as quickly as possible'

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 5 - The European Commission (EC) knows that the deal in which Lufthansa will take a 41% stake in ITA Airways is an "important" one and will proceed as quickly as possible with its review, European Commissioner for Competition Didier Reynders said on Tuesday.
    "We have now received the notification so we are entering an official phase," Reynders told reporters referring to the formal communication to the EC of the acquisition by Lufthansa in the two-year period 2023-2024 of a 41% stake in ITA's share capital against an investment of 325 million euros, which arrived from the German carrier and the Italian economy ministry last Thursday.
    "I know it is an important file" and "we will try to go as quickly as possible", he added.
    Reynders did not comment on rumours about possible overlaps in the activities of the two airlines, particularly on routes from Italy.
    "Of course we are assessing the possible overlaps in the different routes and the situation at different airports, as has been the case (in similar cases) in the past," said the commissioner, adding: "But we will discuss this with the companies involved." The EC has already said the provisional deadline for completing its initial assessment of the deal is January 15.
    Photo: European Commissioner for Competition Didier Reynders.
    (ANSA).