Korean Air-Asiana Airlines Merger Approved by U.K. CMA

The Competition and Markets Authority of the United Kingdom approved the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines on March 1.

The remaining steps are in the United States, the European Union and Japan. According to Korean Air, the approval from the U.K. authority is expected to have a positive effect on their decisions.

In the United States, the Department of Justice is examining the matter. The European Commission is planning to announce its decision on July 5. In Japan, the market competition authority and the airline are having preliminary talks and an official application is expected to be submitted soon.

At present, Korean Air has 10 slots a week and Asiana Airlines has seven slots a week at the Heathrow Airport. According to the U.K. agency, the latter will be given to Virgin Atlantic after the merger.