The European Commission is gearing to
authorize Lufthansa's acquisition of a 41% stake in ITA Airways
after both the German airline and the Italian one provided
repeated sets of assurances on the deal, EC sources said
Thursday.
European sources close to the dossier told ANSA that the green
light, barring unexpected last-minute developments, should be
informally given in the next few days.
The Commission had earlier been expected to announce its verdict
between the end of June and the beginning of July, a few days
before a
July 4 deadline.
Unions representing Lufthansa and ITA Airways employees recently
sent a joint letter to European Competition Commissioner
Margrethe Vestager calling for the operation to be given the
green light.
The Italian Treasury owns ITA, the company that replaced the
loss-making former flag-carrier Alitalia in 2021.
Progress in overcoming Vestager's competition misgivings were
reported last week and the main outstanding issue were said to
regard long-haul flights from Rome's Fiumicino airport to the
United States.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
