Various privatization procedures underway in Europe hang in the balance. There is not only the ITA-Lufthansa dossier, but also the offer of the lAG Group (International Airlines Group) to acquire the Spanish company Air Europa. These are agreements which to date, for various reasons, according to the European Competition Commission led by Margrethe Vestager, do not satisfy "several requirements" that should guarantee competition in the airline market.

Under the investigation of Brussels technicians are the documents of the Iag-Air Europa negotiation, in relation to which "the European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation because it fears that the operation could reduce competition" on these issues: the Spanish national routes which have no alternatives by train; those towards the Balearic and Canary Islands; direct routes from Madrid to Israel, Morocco, the United Kingdom and Switzerland; non-stop connections to North and South America. The Eu antitrust will have to decide by June 7, 2024.

The Iag Group (International Airlines Group) -the company that controls the companies British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus- aims to acquire the remaining 80% of Air Europa (it already holds 20%). According to some aviation sector experts, this dossier is even more problematic than the ITA-Lufthansa one. The European Commission will decide by 7 June 2024. The parties will have until April to propose "remedies" which will be subjected to an evaluation by the market and rival airlines. 

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