The proposed ITA-Lufthansa merger
that is being held up by the European Commission poses
competition risks, European Competition Commissioner Margrethe
Vestager said Thursday.
She said the deal, which has an EC approval deadline of July 4,
entails "competition problems.
"There is a risk that prices will go up and passenger numbers
fall. It's up to the companies to illustrate how to prevent that
happening. And that's the process in which we find ourselves
now. No decision has been taken."
She added: "it's a very important merger, also for Italians who
want to travel".
Progress in talks aimed at securing an EU nod for the merger
between the two flag carriers is "little" and "slow", various EU
sources told ANSA after the airlines made fresh commitments to
try to meet antitrust demands Wednesday.
The further concessions from the German airline and the
Italian economy ministry on slots at Milan Linate do not appear
to be sufficient, they said, and the EU reportedly wants a more
solid solution for long-range routes from Rome Fiumicino to the
USA and Canada, the sources said.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
