E.U. Bans Olympic Air-Aegean Airlines Merger
The European Commission blocked a mega merger plan between Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines last month on the grounds that a monopoly would be created in Greek air travel.
According to press reports, the European Commission said the merger would have led to higher fares for four out of six million Greek and European consumers traveling on routes to and from Athens each year.
“To win E.U. approval the airlines could have offered to sell part of their fleet to a potential competitor or let another airline use one of their brand names,” the commission had said.
However, both companies indicated that such conditions were extraordinary in the aviation market and rejected them.
In a joint press release, Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines said the companies would review the 350-page final document of the European Commission’s decision and decide further actions within the framework of existing legislation.