The European Commission (EC) has launched a probe into possible infringement of European Union competition rules by the six-strong SkyTeam airline alliance. The move comes three months after the US Department of Transportation (DOT) granted immunity from US antitrust rules to core members Delta Air Lines, Air France, Alitalia and CSA Czech Airlines.
The EC, which is seeking to wrestle the right to negotiate "open skies" air accords with the USA from EU member states, says SkyTeam members are "deepening" their bilateral pacts on routes between the EU and other countries. It wants to assess whether this contravenes EU competition policy under Article 81 of the Treaty of Rome.
Air France is confident the EC will not impose changes on the allliance's present structure or future plans. The EC has given "interested parties" 20 working days to submit comments.
Korean Air, which is also a member of SkyTeam, is awaiting a DOT decision on antitrust immunity for its partnership with Delta Air Lines.
Source: Flight International
