Brussels, 14/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 14 November, the European Commission cleared the proposed acquisition of joint control over New Alitalia (Italy) by Alitalia Compagnia Aerea Italiana S.p.A. ("Alitalia CAI", Italy), and Etihad Airways PJSC ("Etihad") of the United Arab Emirates. New Alitalia will take over Alitalia CAI's aviation business. The decision is conditional upon Alitalia CAI and Etihad's commitment to, in particular, release slots to a new entrant at the airports of Rome Fiumicino and Belgrade. Currently Alitalia CAI and Air Serbia, which is jointly controlled by Etihad, are the only carriers offering direct flights on the Rome-Belgrade route. The Commission had concerns that the monopoly created by the transaction on the Rome-Belgrade route could lead to higher prices and a loss of service quality for passengers. The commitments address these concerns. (LC)