EU approves airline merger

Yet another smudge on the European Union's sordid record that almost makes it sound like Bush appointees are running the show.

The EU announced today that it's approved the merger between Delta and Northwest Airlines - leaving approval by U.S. regulators the only hurdle to the merger. (Gee, I wonder what the U.S. regulators will do?)

This approval seems to leave EU's member nations out of luck if they opposed the merger.

The EU claimed that the deal "would not significantly impede effective competition" in the airline industry in Europe. But that's not true. Some routes between America and Europe are currently served by both Northwest and Delta - so there would be less competition.

But hey, monopolies and corporate power are what the European Union is all about.

If the merger is approved, there will also be fewer choices for air travel within the U.S. - and even higher fares.

(Source: http://www.europeanvoice.com/Article/61985.aspx)