250Similarly, the applicant’s assertion that it does not envisage charging prices higher than required to remain competitive following the implementation of the concentration — as it claims is apparent from the fact that on the routes on which it is the only carrier at present the prices which it charges are as low as, or lower than, those which it charges on routes on which it has competitors — cannot cast doubt on the Commission’s analysis of the barriers to entry. As the Commission maintains, the control of concentrations differs from the control of the abuse of a dominant position in that it focuses on the control of market structures and not on the control of companies’ conduct. The control of concentrations aims, on the basis of a prospective analysis of the market structures, to prevent the implementation of a transaction which would significantly impede effective competition in the common market or a substantial part thereof, in particular by the creation or strengthening of a dominant position. As regards prices, the relevant criterion is thus whether the entry onto the market of a new competitor is capable of preventing prices increasing above their level prior to the concentration. The price criterion is not the only one which may be taken into consideration, since the implementation of the concentration may also affect available capacity, choice, quality of service and innovation.
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