The Italian economy ministry said
Tuesday that it and Lufthansa have submitted the remedies
requested by the European Commission for the green light for the
German carrier's acquisition of a 41% stake in Italy's ITA
Airways.
The EU executive has identified competition problems linked to
the operation.
Under Brussels' lens are, in particular, 39 short-haul routes
connecting Italy with Central Europe, the US, Canada and Japan,
and the risk of a dominant position at Milan's Linate airport.
The EU will "carefully assess" the new commitments "aimed at
resolving the preliminary competition problems" in the merger, a
Commission spokeswoman said Tuesday.
The Commission said its deadline for a decision on the operation
has been put back from June 15 to July 4.
"We expect a positive decision on ITA from the European
Commission in the summer" Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told the
carrier's the annual shareholders' meeting.
"Everyone will benefit from this merger: consumers will have
more choice and more connections, ITA will be able to become
profitable as a member of our group, there will be more
competition in the Italian market and Lufthansa will have better
access to the Italian market, which is very important for us".
The Italian Treasury owns ITA, the company that replaced the
loss-making former flag-carrier Alitalia in 2021.
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