Ita Airways entry: EU Commission before Phase II review

At the moment it does not look as if Lufthansa will be able to avoid a phase II review by the EU Commission when it intends to join Ita Airways. The latest concessions may not be enough for competition watchdogs.

The Reuters agency reports, citing people familiar with the matter, that an in-depth review could take up to another four months. Italian media also write that everything points to a phase II test.

Lufthansa is said to have offered the EU Commission the surrender of take-off and landing rights to/from Milan-Linate. However, the crane group does not want to make any changes on long-haul routes and that could be a thorn in the side of the competition authorities.