Lufthansa, according to a report by Politico, plans to make additional concessions to the European Commission to facilitate its planned investment in Italian state-owned airline ITA Airways. The move comes amid growing tensions over the deal, which risks the EU's veto, especially after comments by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who called the plan a "serious attack on Italy." In particular, discussions are focusing on a perceived lack of competition on long-haul flights between Italy and Germany to North America. The European Commission is demanding that Lufthansa take measures to ensure fair competition, including temporarily separating its ITA business for two years, which Lufthansa sees as an attempt to allay the Commission's concerns. Despite intense efforts by both Italy and Lufthansa, approval of the deal is considered uncertain, with political factors at play and the EU Commission insisting on its competition concerns. However, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr stressed the importance of the deal for ITA Airways' survival and pushed for approval. Lufthansa's desire to acquire ITA Airways reflects its strategy to strengthen its business by investing in other airlines. However, this contrasts with the European Commission's tougher stance on such deals, particularly after previous acquisitions of Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines and Swiss. Overall, the conflict between Lufthansa and the European Commission highlights the complexity of mergers and acquisitions in the aviation industry, particularly in relation to competition issues and political influences.