GROUND CLEARANCE FOR LUFTHANSA'S TAKEOVER OF EUROWINGS/GERMANWINGS.

The European Commission, on December 22, cleared the proposed acquisition of control by German national carrier Lufthansa over fellow German airline Eurowings Luftverkehrs AG and its subsidiary, the budget airline Germanwings. The Commission's clearance under the EU Merger Regulation is conditional upon the parties surrendering slots at Vienna and Stuttgart airports thereby allowing competing airlines to emerge on routes to these two towns. Other concessions accepted by the companies in question include allowing competitors to participate with their flights on the affected routes in Lufthansas Frequent Flyer Programme with the aim of making entry more attractive.

The Commission's...