UPS MD-11 Crash Prompts Families to Prepare Wrongful Death Lawsuit 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
IKEA Expands U.S. Manufacturing Amid Rising Tariffs and Supply Chain Strategy Shift 
Momenta Quietly Moves Toward Hong Kong IPO Amid Rising China-U.S. Tensions 
Trump Administration to Secure Equity Stake in Pat Gelsinger’s XLight Startup 
Airline Loyalty Programs Face New Uncertainty as Visa–Mastercard Fee Settlement Evolves 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Microchip Technology Boosts Q3 Outlook on Strong Bookings Momentum 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature 
GM Issues Recall for 2026 Chevrolet Silverado Trucks Over Missing Owner Manuals 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Wikipedia Pushes for AI Licensing Deals as Jimmy Wales Calls for Fair Compensation 
Korean Air, the biggest airline in South Korea, revealed on Monday, May 31, that it has earned another approval from two more countries over its acquisition of Asiana Airlines, a smaller local carrier. This means that it is getting closer to full take over of its former rival.
Approvals needed for the acquisition deal to go ahead
Yonhap News Agency reported that Korean Air did not only receive approval from Thailand’s watchdog but also from the Philippines. The two countries are the latest to greenlight the acquisition of Asiana Air, following Turkey that issued its approval in February.
Minus the three countries mentioned, Korean Air still needs to win the nods of regulators from the U.S., South Korea, China, Japan, Australia, the European Union and Vietnam. The carrier’s spokesperson confirmed that they are just awaiting the same positive response from the other countries and the ₩1.8 trillion or $1.6 billion acquisition deal will push through.
The South Korean airline previously said that it is aiming to merge with Asiana by 2024, after the completion of the takeover process that it is hoping to happen by next year. Once Korean Air and Asiana merged, it was predicted that it would become one of the largest airlines in the world.
Thailand completes Korean Air-Asiana merger review
Korean Air cleared another two countries for its Asiana Air acquisition and while it needs more nations to approve the deal, it is doing its best to gain their nod too. At this time, the airline is cooperating with the respective commissions and supplying them with the needed documents so it can finalize the merger and finish the acquisition process as soon as possible.
“Thailand’s Office of Trade Competition Commission recently completed its review of the business combination with Asiana, and stated that the submission of a prerequisite business combination report was not necessary,” Flight Global quoted Korean Air as saying in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Korean Air must have the approval from the regulatory board of economic competition from other countries to make sure that the merger will not affect other businesses. It is also needed to prevent monopoly in the air and travel business.
