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Regulators approve BA and Iberia merger
BRITISH Airways and Spain’s Iberia gained EU regulatory approval for their merger to create the world’s third-largest airline.
The carriers hope the merger will enable them to compete better with rivals Lufthansa and Air France as well as low-cost carrier Ryanair.
It will also clear the way for a tie-up with American Airlines.
The European Commission, the EU competition regulator, said the merger would not significantly impede competition in the markets.
The EU executive said in a statement: “The Commission’s investigation confirmed that the merged entity will also continue to be subject to competition from a number of competitors on the markets for air cargo transport and groundhandling services.”