EU approve Swiss / Lufthansa deal, subject to airport slots access
10.07.05
The European Commission has approved the takeover of Swiss International by German airline Lufthansa. The approval, received earlier than expected, comes shortly after US competition authorities also waved the plan through.
A statement issued by Lufthansa this week said that it has agreed with the EU to ensure adequate airport takeoff and landing slots are made available to rival airlines on some European and intercontinental routes. US approval was unconditional.
Lufthansa executive board chairman and chief executive, Wolfgang Mayrhuber, said customers of both airlines will see the benefits of the deal 'in just a few weeks' and that 'Lufthansa and Swiss deliver quality mobility to and from Europe.'
Swiss president and chief executive, Christoph Franz, added: 'We are seeing the coming together of two global airlines with the same commitment to superior service and quality. We can now offer our customers more destinations, better connections, integrated frequent flyer programmes and greater lounge access.'
An expanded range of products and services is expected to be on offer from the start of the 2005/06 winter schedules this Autumn.
