The European Commission (EC) has given its final approval to Lufthansa, the flag-carrier airline of Germany, to take over Austrian Airlines, the national airline of Austria.

The European Commission has initiated an investigation into allegations that Deutsche Lufthansa, the flag-carier airline of Germany, may not have paid enough to buy Austrian Airlines, the flag carrier of Austria.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG, the flag carrier of Germany, has offered to take over the loss-making rival Austrian Airlines, the flag-carrier airline of Austria, and pay up to 377 million euros ($475 million) to take full control.

The government of Austria has put off sale of a stake in Austrian Airlines, the flag-carrier airline of Austria, to December 31, 2008.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG, the flag carrier of Germany, has confirmed that it has formally expressed an interest in buying the Austrian government’s stake in Austrian Airlines, the flag-carrier airline of Austria.

The process of bidding for the full privatisation of Austrian Airlines AG, the flag carrier of Austria, has been set in motion with the government of Austria offering its 42.75% stake in the airline.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG, the flag carrier of Germany, is considering buying a stake in Austrian Airlines Group.