The European Competition Commission, led by Margrethe Vestager, has announced that it will take more time to thoroughly evaluate the privatization of the Spanish airline Air Europa. Under the lens of the technicians, the documents of the negotiation between the government of Madrid and the International Airlines Group (Iag), the company that controls the companies British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus. This confirms the rumors of recent weeks.

"The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation because it has preliminary concerns that the operation may reduce competition in the market for air passenger transport services on several national, short- and long-haul routes in and out of Spain", announced in a note the European antitrust in recent hours.

The Directorate General of European Competition will have to decide by 7 June 2024. Until then, the IAG Group will have to present convincing remedies to avoid the creation of monopolies: on Spanish national routes which have no train alternatives; on those towards the Balearic and Canary Islands; on direct routes from Madrid to Israel, Morocco, the United Kingdom and Switzerland; on non-stop flights to North and South America. 

On the same topic, see also the article published by AVIONEWS.