Originally Posted by
Martin2108
I don't see EU antitrust involvment. LH negotiated directly with the leasing companies to acquire the planes.
EU competition law (not anti-trust) requires the EC to evaluate the effects on the market by LH’s acquisition of Air Berlin’s assets. The Commission would be much happier if anyone but LH acquired slots and aircraft and operated now-monopoly routes in competition with LH.
Could the same result, or better, be accomplished by sale of assets to someone else? This is a tough one, but they likely with OK the deal with LH being asked to make some concessions. It could cost them some slot pairs at the most congested airports. They will have to decide if that’s in their best interests. Only time will tell.