The Commission said it focused on concession food services at Dublin Airport, where it found a narrow market.

But the Commission said "concessions food services are granted for a limited period through regular tenders, following a transparent competitive international bidding process."

Alpha Airports provides in-flight catering and retail services, as well as running duty-free shops at airports.

The deal valued Alpha Airports at GBP193.6 million pounds (USD$391.6 million).

At the time of announcing the deal, Alpha said it would add airline catering to its existing focus on selling food and drink to people on the move.

Autogrill sells food and drink along motorways and in rail stations and airports in 32 countries.

The firm, whose catering contracts include the cafeteria at the Louvre museum in Paris, is 57.1 percent controlled by the Benetton family through the holding company Schematrentaquattro.

(Reuters)