Korean Air / Asiana Airlines merger inquiry
The CMA is investigating the anticipated acquisition by Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd of Asiana Airlines Inc.
Statutory timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 March 2023 | Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted |
| 26 January 2023 | Extension of consideration of undertakings in lieu granted |
| 28 November 2022 | CMA to consider undertakings offered |
| 14 November 2022 | Decision announced |
| 16 September 2022 | Launch of merger inquiry |
| 16 September to 3 October 2022 | Invitation to comment |
| 19 November 2021 to 3 December 2021 | Invitation to comment |
Phase 1
Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted
1 March 2023: The CMA has accepted undertakings in lieu of reference for the anticipated merger between Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd and Asiana Airlines Inc.
- (3.3.23)
- (1.3.23)
Extension of consideration of undertakings in lieu
26 January 2023: The CMA has extended the consideration of undertakings in lieu until 23 March 2023.
- (26.1.23)
Undertakings in lieu of reference consultation
8 December 2022: We are consulting on proposed undertakings in lieu of a reference for the anticipated acquisition by Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd of Asiana Airlines Inc.
- (8.12.22)
- (8.12.22)
CMA to consider undertakings offered
28 November 2022: The CMA considers that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the undertakings offered by Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd, or a modified version of them, might be accepted by the CMA under the Enterprise Act 2002.
- (8.12.22)
Reference unless undertakings accepted
14 November 2022: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.
- (6.1.23)
- (14.11.22)
- Press release: Airline merger could see passengers pay more to fly from London to South Korea (14.11.22)
Launch of merger inquiry
16 September 2022: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.
- (16.9.22)
Invitation to comment of 16 September 2022: closed 3 October 2022
The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.
To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.
Invitation of 19 November 2021: now closed
The CMA is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.
To assist it with this assessment, the CMA invites comments on the transaction from any interested party.
These comments should be provided by the deadline set out above.
Contact
Please send written representations about any competition issues to:
Bix Gould, [email protected]
Federico Torrigiani, [email protected]
Updates to this page
Published 19 November 2021Last updated 3 March 2023 + show all updates
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Full text decision published.
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Undertakings in lieu of reference accepted and final undertakings published.
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The CMA has extended the consideration of undertakings in lieu until 23 March 2023, and the notice of extension has been added to the page.
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Full text decision of reference unless undertakings accepted published.
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Full text of decision to consider undertakings offered, notice of consultation and proposed undertakings published.
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Decision to consider undertakings offered published.
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Summary of phase 1 decision published.
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Launch of merger inquiry announced and commencement notice published.
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First published.