[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Kim Jisun] The European Commission has decided to conclude whether to approve the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines by mid-February next year.

According to the aviation industry on the 7th, the European Commission (EC) announced in an announcement on its website, "We will tentatively conclude the business combination review of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines before February 14, 2024." The airline industry expects the EU's executive committee to announce its decision on whether to approve the merger before Feb. 14 next year.

Previously, Korean Air submitted a corrective measure to the EU's executive committee on the 3rd of last month, including a plan to sell Asiana Airlines' cargo business separately in connection with the merger and acquisition process. Since then, Korean Air has also submitted additional data needed for the screening at the request of the EU Commission.

If Korean Air receives approval for the merger of the EU's executive committee this time, it will only have permission from its competitors in the U.S. and Japan until the merger.

 

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