The European Commission is opening an “in-depth investigation” into Lufthansa’s planned takeover of SN Brussels Airlines, after early findings that the deal would impede competition.

The commission’s initial investigation identified monopoly or other competition concerns on six European routes. Remedies proposed by Lufthansa on Jan. 5 “were not sufficiently clear-cut to remove the serious doubts identified in [the] first-phase investigation,” the commission said. Lufthansa said it is examining the commission finding, but does not expect it to derail the takeover.

According to the commission, the decision to mount an in-depth inquiry “does not pre-judge the final result of the investigation.” The commission has until June 10 to make its final ruling. The routes under scrutiny are from Brussels to Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Zurich and Geneva. –

Photo: Brussels Airlines