P.M. BRIEFING : French Airline Deal Approved
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BRUSSELS — European Community Competition Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan said today he cleared the takeover of two French airlines by Air France after negotiating a deal to increase industry competition in France.
The settlement to allow Air France’s purchase of UTA and Air Inter, uniting France’s biggest airlines, would end months of bitter legal wrangling between the commission, the national airline Air France and the French government.
“We have brought competition to France, competition that did not exist before,” Sir Leon said. The accord will guarantee rivals of state-controlled Air France takeoff and landing slots on key domestic and international routes.
Critics said the accord didn’t guarantee competition.
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