Lufthansa's planned takeover of Ita Airways faces a significant hurdle as the European Commission continues to raise concerns about the impact on competition on the transatlantic flight market. This development could have far-reaching consequences for the European aviation industry. In November 2023, Lufthansa officially announced its intention to acquire 41% of the Italian airline ITA Airways, with the long-term goal of taking full control of the airline. This acquisition should enable both companies to strengthen their market position and benefit from shared synergies. In particular, ITA Airways should benefit from an expanded network infrastructure and lucrative route combinations between Europe and North America through its integration into the Lufthansa Group's "Atlantic Joint Venture" (A++). European Commission concerns The European Commission has expressed concerns about the impact of this merger on competition since the beginning of the negotiations. The transatlantic market in particular is in focus, as A++ already controls 80% of the market. The Commission is concerned that the inclusion of ITA Airways in this joint venture could lead to market dominance that would significantly limit competition and increase prices for consumers. The European aviation market is increasingly dominated by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet. This dominance in short-haul traffic forces traditional full-service airlines such as Lufthansa and ITA Airways to focus their business on long-haul flights in order to remain financially viable. The transatlantic routes are therefore of strategic importance as they represent an important source of revenue. Compromise proposals and reactions To address the Commission's concerns, Lufthansa and the Italian Ministry of Finance have put forward proposals to merge ITA's transatlantic operations with other airlines.