THE European Union said on Tuesday it has approved plans by Switzerland’s SAirGroup AG and South Africa’s Transnet to take joint control of South African Airways. SAirGroup, the parent of Swissair, in June bought a 20% stake in SAA for R1,4-billion. It has an option to acquire a further 10% in the South African airline, which is being privatised. The commission said in a statement that SAirGroup’s acquisition does not reduce competition on routes between South Africa and the European Union because the activities of the two airlines involved are largely complementary.