European competition regulators have pushed back a final decision on the proposed merger of American Airlines parent AMR Corp. and US Airways Group Inc. until next month after the carriers offered concessions to gain approval for the deal, the Wall Street Journal reported today. The proposed remedies weren't disclosed and the European Commission isn't viewed by analysts as a significant roadblock for the deal, which would create the world's largest airline. Meanwhile, in the U.S. the carriers have steered clear of discussing possible concessions as the transaction is reviewed by the Justice Department. The European Commission cleared without conditions the last two big U.S. airline mergers—those creating United Continental Holdings Inc. and an enlarged Delta Air Lines Inc. It has continued to probe the competitive impact of the three big marketing alliances that dominate trans-Atlantic travel, requiring some member carriers to give up takeoff and landing slots at congested airports.
