Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has signalled its conditional approval for the merger of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.
Korean Air Lines agreed to acquire 60% of Asiana Airlines with a plan to merge the airlines.
In a preliminary report the FTC said the merged business would likely have to relinquish some slots to allow for consumer choice.
The FTC said it has identified 10 routes which would give the airline a monopoly.
These include long haul routes to Los Angeles, New York, Barcelona, Seattle and Sydney.
"Redistribution of airport slots will allow other airlines to run flights," said Min Hye-young, FTC spokesperson.
The FTC is expected to make a final decision in early 2022.
KAL is still awaiting regulatory approvals in various countries including the US, China, Japan, the UK, Australia, Singapore and the EU.
