Spohr expects ‘direction’ of Commission decision on ITA deal this week

Lufthansa Group CE Carsten Spohr expects to get an indication this week from the European Commission on its decision regarding the group’s planned move to acquire a stake in ITA Airways. While a final decision from the European Commission is formally due on 4 July, Spohr suggests the direction of the decision is likely to come ahead of European Parliament elections in Italy on 8 June. “With the Italian government rightly expecting a fast decision, I would hope to get an indication this week on which direction this will go,” said Spohr, speaking during a press briefing at the IATA AGM in Dubai today. “And since we are in a constructive phase of the dialogue and, I would consider the final phase of constructive dialogue, I think it is realistic to come to a solution this week.” The group had originally hoped to secure approval for its 41% acquisition of ITA by the end of last year, but the Commission flagged competition concerns over the deal. In March, it outlined some short-haul routes to central Europe, long-haul routes to North America and Japan, and ITA’s strong position at Milan Linate airport as key areas of competition concerns.<br/>