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UK Watchdog Looks At Concessions In Korean Air, Asiana Airlines Buy

By  |  November 28, 2022

The UK Competition and Markets Authority said Monday that it is considering the undertakings regarding competition concerns over the buyout of Asiana Airlines Inc. by Korean Air Lines Co.

The CMA said undertakings offered by Korean Air on Nov. 21 might be accepted to remedy the substantial lessening of competition and it has until Jan. 26 to decide.

Related: Asiana Airlines Buyout May Raise Prices Says UK Regulator

The regulator said on Nov. 14 that the takeover could lead to higher ticket prices for flights between London and Seoul, given that only providers of indirect flights would compete with the merged company. Air cargo services could also be affected given that Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are the two main suppliers of direct cargo services between the U.K. and South Korea, the CMA said.