In 2010, the European Commission investigated the transatlantic joint venture between BA, AA, and Iberia (the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement) and imposed commitments on six routes reflecting the loss of competition on those routes. In October 2018, in advance of the expiry of the commitments, and with five of the six routes touching the UK, the UK’s CMA opened a further competition investigation. A team of CRA Competition consultants supported airlines in assessing the competitive effects of the joint venture and effectiveness of the commitments.
The politician and the judge: Implications for competition policy
Drawing on the historical evolution of antitrust policy, the authors argue that some increase in politicisation is likely an inevitable result of the expansion...