15/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 14 May 2009, the European Commission cleared the planned acquisition of British Midland (bmi) of the UK by Lufthansa of Germany, both active in passenger and cargo transport and related services. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. Lufthansa is in the process of acquiring Brussels Airlines NV/SA (SN), as notified to the Commission on 26 November 2008. For the purposes of the present case, the Commission has therefore treated SN as a subsidiary of Lufthansa, which is however without prejudice to the outcome of the investigation currently being conducted by the Commission with regard to the acquisition of SN by LH. (L.C./transl.l)