Norway might block Norwegian Air’s bid for domestic rival Wideroe

Norway’s competition watchdog has warned that it might block Norwegian Air’s bid for domestic rival Wideroe, with competition authority director Tina Soereide citing a “real risk that competition in the market can be weakened”. This could lead to “higher ticket prices and a worse offering to passengers in Norway,” she elaborated. Although both parties have expressed disappointment at the regulator’s preliminary decision, both believe a deal is still possible; explaining in a joint statement that “faced with an European aviation industry undergoing major change… even a combined Norwegian and Wideroe will become a small player in international context”. The companies