08/07/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 5 July, the European Commission conditionally approved the acquisition of air operator Flybe, aircraft lessor Propius Holdings Ltd and airline operator Stobart Air Unlimited Company by Connect Airways, a consortium of several companies active in aviation. During its initial investigation, the Commission considered that the proposed transaction would have led to quasi-monopolies for passenger transport on the Birmingham-Amsterdam and Birmingham-Paris routes. Connect Airways therefore proposed measures to address the institution's concerns. To do so, the consortium made commitments to free slots at Schiphol (Amsterdam) and Paris Charles de Gaulle airports to make them available to competing airlines wishing to operate on the Birmingham-Amsterdam and Birmingham-Paris routes. As these commitments are satisfactory to the Commission, it has given the green light to the acquisition. (LT)