For an airline group that came into being through consolidation, the failure of IAG's latest planned deal to take over Air Europa must be a big disappointment.
After dropping its proposed acquisition of Air Europa, IAG's CEO still sees benefits of consolidation and retains an interest in buying TAP Air Portugal.
IAG CEO Luis Gallego told an audience at Farnborough Airshow that recent action by the European Commission bodes well for its proposed acquisition of Air Europa.
The EC's statement of objections is not an end decision but a formal step in the investigation in which companies involved are informed in writing of objections
Iberia Chairman and President Marco Sansavini says the completion of the Air Europa purchase is one of the main targets to securing Iberia’s future success.
It may turn out that a deal that took the industry by surprise when it was announced in late 2023 could be the first to take a concrete consolidation step.
IAG has formally notified the EC of its plans to acquire Air Europa and pledged to propose remedies it hopes will allow for quick approval of the deal in 2024.