Brussels takes until June to study concerns over Lufthansa-ITA Airways acquisition

The European Commission is concerned that the proposed partial acquisition of ITA Airways by Lufthansa Group will reduce competition on short-haul routes in Europe and on long-haul routes, particularily to North America. That is why the EC has launched an in-depth investigation before it will rule on the proposal, Brussels said on Tuesday. 

Lufthansa and the Italian government agreed last May that the German airline group would acquire a 41 percent stake in ITA Airways for €325 million. This can be expanded to a full takeover at a later stage. Lufthansa, ITA, the Italian government, and the European Commission discussed for months what should be included in the official notification to get approval from the EC.