Korean-Asiana merger would reduce competition on Europe-Korea routes, according to EU

The European Commission on May 17 announced it had let Korean Air know of its “preliminary view” that the carrier’s proposed acquisition of Asiana “may restrict competition in the markets for passenger and cargo air transport services between the European Economic Area (EEA) and South Korea”. The Commission said it was concerned that the transaction, if it proceeds, could “reduce competition in the provision of passenger transport services on four routes between South Korea and France, Germany, Italy and Spain” and have the same effect on “the provision of cargo transport services between all of Europe and South Korea”. As