21/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Brussels International Airport Company (BIAC) by the Luxembourg-based undertaking Macquarie Airports Brussels S.A. (MABSA) and the Belgian State. MABSA belongs to the Macquarie Group, an Australian banking group active in investment banking, fund management, financial advisory and leasing activities. BIAC is the owner and operator of Brussels National Airport, located in Zaventem, Belgium. It manages the airport infrastructure and coordinates and controls the activities of the various operators at the airport. It is currently controlled by the Belgian State, which owns 63.56% of its shares. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.