Unions call on Commission to OK ITA-Lufthansa merger

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 29 - Unions representing Lufthansa and ITA Airways employees on Wednesday sent a joint letter to European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager calling for the German carrier's bid to buy a 41% stake in the Italian company to be given the green light.
    The EU executive has not yet given its blessing to the 325-million-euros operation as it is worried about its impact on competition.
    Under Brussels' lens are, in particular, 39 short-haul routes connecting Italy with Central Europe, the US, Canada and Japan, and the risk of a dominant position at Milan's Linate airport.
    In the letter, the unions expressed "full support" for the merger, in part as a way to combat unfair competition from outside Europe, and appealed to Vestager to "listen to us".
    It said a "quick, positive decision" on the operation would "signal that you, the EU Commission, are focusing on strength, competitiveness in a fair market environment and growth in Europe "The aim must be to strengthen our European aviation industry, its value creation, its jobs with European standards and to keep its tax revenues in Europe," it said.
    The Italian Treasury owns ITA, the company that replaced the loss-making former flag-carrier Alitalia in 2021. (ANSA).