EU regulators to rule on easyJet, Air Berlin deal by Dec. 12

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators will rule by Dec. 12 whether to allow British budget carrier easyJet (EZJ.L) to acquire parts of failed German airline Air Berlin's (AB1.DE), the European Commission said on Wednesday.

EasyJet filed for approval on Tuesday, according to the EU competition authority's website. The regulator can either clear the deal with or without demanding concessions or open a full-scale investigation of about four months if it has major concerns.

The deal includes easyJet taking on some of Air Berlin's operations at Tegel airport in the German capital, covering leases for up to 23 A320 aircraft and around 1,000 of its pilots and cabin crew.

The Commission is also reviewing Lufthansa's (LHAG.DE) planned purchase of other parts of Air Berlin, with a decision due by Dec. 7. Lufthansa is expected to offer concessions, with the decision then likely to be extended by 10 working days.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Mark Potter)