Lufthansa urges Europe to ease rules on consolidation

Lufthansa is hoping the EC will water down its stance on competition as the German carrier formally begins the process of acquiring a stake in Italy’s ITA Airways. CEO Carsten Spohr said lawmakers in Brussels need to give the continent’s carriers permission to compete “in the global league.” “ITA was our priority, we’re now working on making this possible, taking it through European authorities and then we’ll look at the next possible steps of consolidation,” he said. “The EU Commission put itself somewhat into a corner,” added Spohr, whose group controls the national carriers in Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and seperately runs a regional airline in Italy. “I’m positive we will find a solution.” The continent’s biggest airlines are advancing consolidation. Italy agreed to sell 41% of ITA to Lufthansa for E325m, while British Airways-parent IAG has started its second attempt at seeking regulatory approval for taking over Spain’s Air Europa, which would add to its portfolio of airlines spread across the UK, Spain and Ireland. <br/>