The proposed merger of Chilean airline to Brazilian rival TAM Linhas Aereas has cleared its next administrative hurdle, with the antitrust unit of Brazil’s finance ministry granting its approval earlier.

The body said it believed the deal would not harm competition in the country’s civil aviation market.

The ruling is the first of three antitrust decisions in Brazil for the transaction.

Both the justice ministry’s antitrust unit and the country’s antitrust council Cade also have to pass judgment on the deal.

The deal is facing hurdles in Chile, where the tie-up is also under discussion.