British Airways owner IAG’s plans to acquire Air Europa have run into more problems with the UK competition watchdog now saying it is looking at the deal.
IAG originally announced it was buying the Spanish carrier in November 2019 for €500mln, but the purchase was put on hold as coronavirus hit the airline sector and European authorities expressed concern about lessening competition.
The company already operates Iberia and Vueling in Spain and earlier this month IAG chief executive Luis Gallego said he was less optimistic than before that a deal could be agreed.
Reuters reported today that the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority had set a deadline of 19 January 2022 for an initial decision.
IAG says it has already proposed some remedies to the European Commission to get the deal approved.