Europe greenlights BA, Iberia merger

EUROPE’S government, the European Commission (EC), has approved the proposed merger between British Airways (BA) and Iberia. The decision now clears the way for both European carriers to form a much-desired transatlantic alliance with American Airlines.

“The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it,” the EC said. “The Commission’s investigation showed that the merged entity will continue to face enough competition after the merger.”

US authorities gave approval for the merger last month, but BA’s continuing problems with disruptive staff may still scare Iberia off.

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