US, UK expected to approve Korean Air's acquisition of Asiana Airlines

The US and the UK are expected to approve the proposed operations under the Korean Air-Asiana Airlines acquisition deal as early as November, according to industry officials, Sunday. Korean Air expects that if approved by the US and the UK, it will have a positive effect on the European Union, Japan and China competition authorities to follow suit. Korean Air is said to be in negotiations with foreign airlines and domestic low-cost carriers to propose an alternative airline to operate instead of Asiana Airlines following the acquisition as the competition authorities require that Korean Air propose a new airline to operate on behalf of Asiana Airlines in order to maintain market competitiveness. Korean Air is reported to have recently signed a business agreement with domestic low-cost carriers to operate routes to Europe and the US. In the case of the Incheon-Los Angeles route, Air Premia will start service this month as a domestic airline, and the number of flights will be gradually expanded. Korean Air is also known to be in negotiations with Vietnam Airlines to take over some of its routes. The remaining US routes are expected to be taken over by US airlines such as United and Delta. The US Department of Justice is expected to interview Korean Air executives and managers this month and review measures proposed by Korean Air.<br/>British airline Virgin Atlantic is expected to launch new flights between <br/>