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Lufthansa wins conditional EU nod for $350-mln ITA deal

Lufthansa on Wednesday won EU antitrust approval to purchase 41% of Italy's ITA Airways for 325 million euros ($ 350 million) after delivering routes and slots in an offer that will enhance its presence in the financially rewarding southern European market.

The deal is one of 3 prominent airline company transactions in Europe, underscoring airlines' bid to boost scale to offset increasing operating costs.

ITA uses the German carrier more access to southern Europe, along with to key long-haul paths. Lufthansa has an option to take complete ownership if ITA's monetary performance improves.

Competitors regulators have actually demanded substantial concessions from Lufthansa to calm worries the offer might decrease competitors in Italy on some short- and long-haul paths.

Regulators in Europe also fret the region's 3 largest airline company groups - IAG, Air France KLM and Lufthansa - are ending up being too dominant, possibly injuring customer option and making flying less cost effective.

Lufthansa and Italy accepted deliver Italian short-haul paths to a couple of competitors, the European Commission stated, confirming a. story. The German airline has said it remains in talks with. Easyjet and Spanish low-priced provider Volotea.

The merged business will also do interlining agreements or. slot swaps with competitors for long-haul paths to increase. frequencies and improved connections for one-stop flights.

Lufthansa and Italy will likewise tansfer a few of state-owned. ITA's slots at Milan's Linate airport to address competitors. issues,

Lufthansa can just seal the deal as soon as measures up to start. operating the routes. EU regulators had been annoyed with its. previous approved deals throughout which competitors declined to take up. paths and slots since they said they might not compete with. Lufthansa.

Lufthansa has actually faced increasing labour expenses connected to strikes. earlier this year, causing it to provide an earnings warning before. its first quarter outcomes.

Analysts believe it will not be easy for Lufthansa to turn. around ITA, whose predecessor Alitalia dealt with decades of. monetary battles and bailouts. Lufthansa will likely need to. make a significant financial investment to restore ITA.

The Commission is presently examining British Airways-owner. IAG's quote to purchase Air Europa. It is also set to examine. Air France-KLM's offer to take a 19.9% stake in Scandinavian. carrier SAS.

(source: Reuters)