You're not missing something: you're adding something. You're adding an "s". They're not going after ventures. Just ours.

It's just another slap across the face, from a regulatory standpoint. Means someone owes the Brits and the Spaniards a favor WRT protecting oneworld and helping them control/retain AMR. And the Germans are too powerful to be touched.

Also, you'll notice United and American are making the right noises, to make IAG and LH happy: thye're whining that we don't have full transatlantic mergers. RA said ont he last call that we don't need mergers, since alliances work just like mergers. The very next day, the Europeans announce the probe.

So if you hope threatening to kill our venture is going to make RA buy a bunch of airplanes, your heart is in the right place, but your brain isn't: it'll merely lead to Delta lobbying for mergers along with the others. Didn't like sharing with AF/KLM before? Not to worry, they'll solve the problem by making sure your flying is now their flying.

Guess which side of the Atlantic has strong labor protections that prevent job losses, and guess which side doesn't?

Perverse conclusions, but probably an accurate analysis. Sorry.