IAG gets green light for bmi purchase

THE European Commission (EC) has given its approval for International Airlines Group’s (IAG) to buy bmi from Lufthansa. IAG will then be made up of British Airways (BA), Iberia and bmi.
The final takeover is expected to happen by, or around, 20 April this year.
As part of the requirements to satisfy the EC’s competition directives, BA has committed to freeing up several daily slots between London Heathrow and cities within the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
IAG’s chief executive officer, Willie Walsh, says: “We’re delighted the EC has given competition approval for our acquisition of bmi.
“Over time we will launch new long-haul routes to key trading nations that are currently not served from Heathrow while supporting our short-haul network. We have already announced that British Airways will re-start flights from Belfast to Heathrow, maintaining important economic links.
“Expanding our long-haul network also helps Heathrow grow as an international hub airport despite its infrastructure constraints.”