A Chilean regulator said on Thursday it would probe the proposed merger of regional airline LAN LAN.SN (LFL.N) with Brazil's TAM (TAMM4.SA) (TAM.N), in a setback for a push to create Latin America's biggest carrier. LAN had urged the antitrust tribunal to ignore a petition by a consumer group, Conadecus, concerned that the investigation could delay or even block a signed merger to create one of the world's top 10 airlines. Brazilian regulators are seen approving the deal. "The tribunal has rejected the submissions of LAN, TAM and (anti-trust agency) FNE, and so the start of the investigation sought by Conadecus remains in place," said Alejandro Domic, secretary of Chilean anti-trust tribunal TDLC.
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