BRUSSELS (AFP)--Deutsche Lufthansa AG (LHA.XE) Chief Executive
Wolfgang Mayrhuber is due to hold talks Monday with the European
Union's top competition official, with questions hanging over the
German carrier's bid for Austrian Airlines AG (AUA.VI), an official
said.
The meeting with E.U. Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes was
due to take place "in the late afternoon or early evening," her
spokesman said, and comes as the European Commission seeks
clarification on Lufthansa's plans.
The commission, which is the E.U.'s top competition regulator,
says it fears the takeover could lead to higher ticket prices or
fewer flights on some routes and has demanded Lufthansa make
concessions to protect European air travellers.
It launched an inquiry at the start of the month into the
proposed link-up and has until Nov. 6 to make a decision.
But Lufthansa said its takeover offer, which must be approved,
would only stand until July 31.