The European Commission will decide at the start of December whether it will clear a proposed merger between Greek carriers Aegean Airlines and rival Olympic, following an in-depth probe.

The Commission must make sure that consumers and businesses will continue to have a competitive choice of airline services in Greece, both in regards to fares and routes, in particular at a time of difficult economic circumstances.

An initial investigation into the merger showed it could raise ‘serious competition concerns,’ the EU’s executive arm said in a statement at the end o f last week.

The merger would create a dominant carrier in Greece’s domestic market, with a fleet of 64 aircraft and a work force of 5,850 employees.

“The Commission must make sure that consumers and businesses will continue to have a competitive choice of airline services in Greece, both in regards to fares and routes, in particular at a time of difficult economic circumstances,” Commission Vice President Joaquin Almunia said.

The final decision on the proposed merger is expected from Brussels by December 7.