=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2004/02/06/f= inancial1213EST0103.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, February 6, 2004 (AP) EU to decide on KLM-Air France merger next week (02-06) 09:13 PST BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- The European Commission said Friday it would make its decision on the proposed merger between Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines by the middle of next week. Commission spokeswoman Amelia Torres told reporters that European Union antitrust investigators would likely make a decision by Wednesday, a deadline the EU head office set, on whether to give the green light to the linkup. Antitrust officials could also decide to open a further four month investigation of the deal, however. "The Commission has not yet decided whether to give a green light or not= ," Torres told reporters. "The Commission welcomes the consolidation of the airline sector of course, but the matter has not been fully investigated yet ... you will hear the result next Wednesday." EU antitrust officials have already extended their deadline for two weeks on the KLM-Air France deal, suggesting the two companies have offered new concessions to get approval. When announcing the planned alliance last September, Air France chief executive Jean-Cyril Spinetta indicated the carriers would have to cede slots to rivals on the Amsterdam to Paris route, which they dominate, in order to gain an antitrust clearance. The deal also has to overcome trans-Atlantic as well as European obstacles, given KLM's alliance with Northwest Airlines Corp., based in Eagan, Minn. Other concerns include KLM's plan to join the SkyTeam Alliance, led by A= ir France and U.S. carrier Delta Airlines. In the past, the Commission has said it would have to renew scrutiny of SkyTeam if other airlines join. U.S. antitrust authorities are separately reviewing the merger. KLM filed for U.S. approval on Jan. 12. The Department of Justice has 30 days to make an initial response or extend its inquiry. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004 AP