AP: EU to approve Delta-Virgin deal

   According to an Associated Press report, EU regulators are poised to approve Delta Air Lines’ purchase of a 49-percent stake in Virgin Atlantic without conditions.
   Delta purchased the stake in Virgin last December for $360 million, and officials from both carriers have been waiting on the necessary regulatory approvals from the U.S. Department of Transportation and European Commission. Last month, news agencies reported the commission would likely rule on the deal by June 20. 
   When the deal was initially announced, Delta officials said they were buying a piece of Virgin previously owned by Singapore Airlines. If the deal goes through, Virgin will continue to operate under its own brand.
   “Our new partnership with Virgin Atlantic will strengthen both airlines and provide a more effective competitor between North America and the U.K., particularly on the New York-London route, which is the largest airline route between the U.S. and Europe,” Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer, said in a statement at the time. “By combining the strengths of our two companies in a joint venture, we can provide customers with a seamless network between North America and the U.K.” – Jon Ross