EasyJet wins unconditional EU approval to buy Air Berlin assets

EasyJet gained unconditional EU antitrust approval on Tuesday to buy parts of Air Berlin, in contrast with rival Lufthansa, which is trying to convince regulators of its own bid for other Air Berlin assets. The E40m deal, which includes some of Air Berlin’s operations at Tegel airport, leases for up to 25 A320 aircraft and the taking on of about 1,000 of Air Berlin’s pilots and cabin crew, will make easyJet the largest carrier in the German capital. The EC said the acquisition would not hurt competition, confirming a Reuters report on Dec. 4. “EasyJet’s plans to buy certain Air Berlin assets will not reduce competition and we have approved it today,” EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said. “Our decision enables easyJet to grow its presence at Berlin airports and start competing on new routes to the benefit of consumers.” EasyJet said it expected to complete the purchase in the near future. Last week it announced a winter schedule for Tegel and will start competing with Lufthansa on German domestic routes from next month. Booming tourism demand lifted passenger numbers at Berlin’s Tegel and Schoenefeld airports by a combined 11.4% last year to almost 33m. Lufthansa, which wants to purchase Air Berlin units Niki and LGW, will have to give up more airport slots and routes to address competition concerns or face a full-scale EU investigation, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters last week.<br/>