EU airline ownership review could complicate easyJet takeover

The European Union is preparing a review of airline ownership rules to prevent foreign investors from gaining effective control of carriers, an EU official said, a move that could complicate U.S. bids for low-cost airline easyJet.

The possible result of the EU review, previously unreported, would “protect strategic autonomy” to ensure control of regional carriers remains within the bloc, the official said. It comes amid a bidding war between two U.S. investment firms for the control of major...