Brussels reactivates the in-depth investigation into the purchase of Air Europa by IAG. Today the European Commission has lifted the stoppage of the clock that it had agreed to just over two weeks ago to advance the study of the operation involving Iberia and the Globalia airline.
The community competition authorities requested additional information from IAG on the acquisition of Air Europa. Last Friday, the 15th, Iberia sent the requested technical data to the European Commission, company sources report. In this way, the investigation resumes with a new date for the completion of the process: July 15.
IAG does not rule out new “clock stops”. They are common in this type of process and are used for the Commission to collect additional information without consuming the time regulated for the operation. If Brussels decides to stop time again, the deadline will be delayed again.
Iberia’s parent group is offering the European Commission “remedial” options to guarantee competition. Now it will have to be Brussels who expresses its opinion. “IAG has been diligently providing all the data requested by the Commission and will continue to do so if there are new requests,” the company states.
IAG insists that the purchase of Air Europa “is essential to strengthen the Madrid hub and place it at the same level as those in northern Europe, as well as to increase Spanish connectivity, especially with Asia.”
For Iberia’s parent company, the purchase of Air Europa “will benefit consumers and serve to boost the economy and employment in our country.”
