EU APPROVES KLM-ALITALIA ALLIANCE
The European Commission has approved the alliance of KLM Royal Dutch
Airlines and Italian carrier Alitalia, clearing the way for KLM and
Alitalia to begin acting as a single economic entity beginning Nov. 1.
The commission ruled that the alliance does not raise major competition
issues.
To secure approval, KLM and Alitalia have promised to make slots
available for new entrants to operate flights between the carriers’ hubs in
Amsterdam, Rome and Milan. KLM and Alitalia currently are the only airlines that operate
between Amsterdam and Rome and between Amsterdam and Milan.