Brussels, 23/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - The preliminary inquiry opened by the European Commission on the proposed merger between the airline companies Air France and KLM has been postponed until the buffer date of 11 February. The decision was initially expected for 29 January but, because of the commitments proposed by the two companies, the Commission has deferred the decision in order to examine the proposals put forward. It will then decide either to authorise the operation if concessions proposed are sufficient, or to begin an indepth inquiry for a final decision, which, in this case, would not be made known before the month of June. KLM's financial director Rob Ruijter said he was "confident an agreement will be reached with the European and American authorities by mid-February".