The Official Journal of the European Union, OJEU, has published on May 5th 2009 the notice of prior notification of a concentration between the Air France KLM Group and Royal Air Maroc (RAM), and Aerotechnic Industries S.A., controlled by RAM. Interested parties may submit their observations to the Commission within ten days after this publication.

On April 8th 2009 the European Commission received notification under Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) Nº 139/2004 of a proposed concentration by which the Air France KLM Group (France) and the Groupe Royal Air Maroc (Morocco) would acquire joint control within the meaning of the said Council Regulation of Aerotechnic Industries S.A. (Morocco), controlled by the Compagnie Royal Air Maroc, by way of a purchase of shares in an existing company which is to become a joint venture.

Main activities of the companies concerned 

• Air France (Public, EPA:AF): air transport of passengers and cargo, and aircraft maintenance and repair,
• Royal Air Maroc: air transport of passengers and cargo, and aircraft maintenance and repair,
• Aerotechnic Industries S.A.: aircraft maintenance and repair.

On its preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) Nº 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission. Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication.

Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 2 2964301 or 2967244) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5380 — Air France-KLM/Royal Air Maroc/JV, to the following address:

European Commission
Directorate-General for Competition
Merger Registry
J-70
B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussels
BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) Nº 139/2004 it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the simplified procedure.