Lufthansa Still At Center Of European Airline M&A

Lufthansa this month continued its exertions for hegemony over swaths of European commercial aviation by securing approval from the vast majority of Austrian Airlines' shareholders to acquire that carrier. It could further expand its influence now that the European Commission has approved its proposed take-over of UK-based bmi, though the German carrier is not keen on buying that airline in its current state.

Regardless of the outcome of the bmi situation, Lufthansa has cemented itself as the most active commercial airline buyer in Europe. It already is integrating with Brussels Airlines (with EC's detailed review of Lufthansa's planned acquisition of that carrier scheduled for completion by 1 July) and previously integrated Swiss International Air Lines into its aviation group.

Meanwhile, Air France has expressed interest in acquiring SkyTeam partner CSA Czech Airlines, while oneworld alliance partners British Airways and Iberia continue merger discussions. Bloomberg quoted Iberia commercial director Manuel Lopez Colmenarejo as saying the tie-up is "possible and even likely" in a matter of months.

Get the full story at: TheTransNational.Travel