On October 16, it was reported by sources that the EU is gearing up to fast-track the antitrust approval procedure for Project Bromo, a collaborative European satellite venture. This initiative, jointly promoted by Airbus, Italy's Leonardo, and France's Thales, is designed to forge a powerhouse in the European satellite sector and diminish dependence on American satellite service providers, such as SpaceX. Throughout the past year, the European Commission has been engaged in consultations with these three companies, taking a proactive stance to pinpoint and resolve any potential competition concerns.

At present, the companies have not officially submitted their application for approval, yet it is anticipated to be lodged within the coming weeks. Should the companies put forward remedies, like divesting certain assets, the project could receive the green light following a preliminary antitrust review that spans slightly over a month. This would enable them to sidestep a protracted, in-depth investigation that might extend for several months.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in favor of the project. However, EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has emphasized that, despite political backing, the project must adhere to the EU's competition regulations.