CC clears in-flight catering joint venture
14 Mar 2012
The Competition Commission (CC) has formally cleared the anticipated joint venture between Alpha Flight Group Limited (Alpha) and LSG Lufthansa Service Holding AG (LSG).
In its final report published today, the CC has stated that the joint venture is unlikely to result in higher prices or lower quality for the companies’ airline customers.
This confirms the CC’s provisional decision, which was published last month.
The companies are major UK suppliers of in-flight catering to the airline industry, providing both hot meals and light snacks and related logistics for passenger flights in and out of the UK.
For more details on the investigation, go to the inquiry homepage at: www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/ref2011/alpha_flight_group_lsg_lufthansa/index.htm.
Notes for editors
1. The CC is an independent public body, which carries out investigations into mergers, markets and the regulated industries.
2. The members of the Alpha/LSG Inquiry Group are: Malcolm Nicholson (Group Chairman), Roger Davis, Ian Jones and Stephen Oram.
3. The Enterprise Act 2002 empowers the OFT to refer to the CC completed or proposed mergers for investigation and report which create or enhance a 25 per cent share of supply in the UK (or a substantial part thereof) or where the UK turnover associated with the enterprise being acquired is over £70 million.
4. The CC has a 24-week period in which it is required to publish its report, which may be extended by no more than eight weeks if it considers that there are special reasons why the report cannot be published within that period.
5. Further information on this inquiry, including the terms of reference and other key documents, as well as on the CC and its procedures, including its policy on the provision of information and the disclosure of evidence, can be obtained from the CC website at: www.competition-commission.org.uk.
6. Enquiries should be directed to Rory Taylor or Siobhan Allen or by ringing 020 7271 0242.
