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Luxair challenges EU approval of Lufthansa-ITA merger

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 21, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Luxair challenges EU approval of Lufthansa-ITA merger
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BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Luxembourg flag carrier Luxair said on Wednesday it had filed a legal challenge before the General Court of the European Union against the European Commission's approval of the

Luxair Files Legal Challenge Against Lufthansa-ITA Merger Approval

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Luxembourg flag carrier Luxair said on Wednesday it had filed a legal challenge before the General Court of the European Union against the European Commission's approval of the merger between Lufthansa and ITA.

Luxair said it has no objection to the merger itself but said that as part of the remedies offered by Lufthansa, smaller carriers like Luxair had been sidelined in the allocation of landing slots at Milan Linate airport.

In November, the European Commission approved a package of remedies proposed by Lufthansa for the acquisition of a minority stake in Italy's ITA Airways, in which EasyJet, IAG and Air France-KLM would secure more routes.

Lufthansa offered the remedies after winning EU antitrust approval in July 2024 to buy 41% of state-owned ITA, the successor airline to bankrupt Alitalia, for 325 million euros ($343.6 million), in a deal designed to boost its presence in the southern European market.

(Reporting by GV De Clercq; Editing by Makini Brice)

Key Takeaways

  • Luxair challenges EU's approval of Lufthansa ITA merger.
  • Concerns over Milan Linate airport slot allocations.
  • Lufthansa's acquisition of 41% of ITA approved in July 2024.
  • European Commission approved Lufthansa's proposed remedies.
  • Luxair claims smaller carriers are sidelined.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Luxair challenge in the EU?
Luxair filed a legal challenge against the European Commission's approval of the Lufthansa-ITA merger.
What is Luxair's stance on the merger?
Luxair stated it has no objection to the merger itself but raised concerns about being sidelined in landing slot allocations.
What remedies did Lufthansa propose for the merger?
Lufthansa proposed a package of remedies to the European Commission for acquiring a minority stake in ITA Airways.
When did the European Commission approve the merger?
The European Commission approved the merger in November, following Lufthansa's antitrust approval in July 2024.
What was the financial aspect of Lufthansa's acquisition?
Lufthansa plans to buy a 41% stake in ITA Airways for 325 million euros, equivalent to approximately $343.6 million.

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