Aer Lingus-owner IAG may get warning from EU competition regulator over Air Europa deal
Parent British Airways, Lingus Sam Also Iberia, Aer Vueling And Picture: Iag Owns Boal
Aer Lingus and British Airways owner IAG may get a warning from EU competition regulators on its €400m bid to buy out Air Europa if it does not offer remedies in the coming months, a person with direct knowledge of the matter has said.
The European Commission opened a full-scale investigation into the deal last month, saying it may reduce competition on domestic routes to the Balearic and Canary islands, and on short-haul routes between Madrid and the main cities in Europe, Israel, Morocco, Britain, and Switzerland.
The EU competition enforcer, which has also said long-haul routes between Madrid and North and South America may also see less competition, declined to comment. IAG also owns Spain-based airlines Iberia and Vueling.
IAG could see a charge sheet known as a statement of objections setting out the Commission's concerns about the deal, in the coming weeks if no remedies are offered before then, the source said.
IAG chief executive Luis Gallego has previously said he is ready to offer remedies to address the EU concerns, saying it was talking to companies which may potentially take up the remedies. IAG wants to buy the 80% of Air Europa it did not already own from Spain's Globalia.
The carriers terminated a previous deal in 2021 after EU regulators indicated their remedies were insufficient to alleviate competition concerns.