Lufthansa has sent an official response to the EU Antitrust to the objections raised about the investment in Ita Airways. In the same document the German group, which intends to take over 41% of the Italian carrier to rise to 100% by 2033, presented a draft of “possible remedies” to allay Brussels’ fears about the negative consequences for competition which could cause the wedding in heaven. You confirm this in a Lufthansa note.
The note
«As part of the ongoing merger control proceedings by the European Commission – in relation to the planned investment in Ita -, the Lufthansa group has submitted a detailed response to the objections notified on 25 March 2024», reads the giant’s press release European. «Also, it was presented a concept of possible remedies”.
The EU objections
«We have developed a complete and constructive solution to address the competition problems raised by the authority on the affected routes and the situation at Milan Linate airport», underlines the German note. As it is known the EU Antitrust asks to reduce the presence on 39 routes (or quit some of them) and to leave several slots at Linate where Ita and Lufthansa would together have 2/3 of the take-off and landing rights.
The approach
According to Lufthansa, the approach to the remedies «is compatible with the economic reality of the highly competitive Italian aviation market – the Germans further explain -. However, we will not comment on the details of the confidential procedure or the concessions offered. The Lufthansa Group remains confident that the Commission will approve the agreed participation in ITA and that Ita can thus become part of the family by the end of the year.”
