EU opens in-depth inquiry into Travelport buy of Worldspan |
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Thu, 03 May 2007 19:02
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BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The European Commission said it has opened an in-depth inquiry into online travel planner Travelport Ltd's proposed 1.4 bln usd acquisition of travel reservations systems operator Worldspan LP.The commission said its initial market investigation found that the deal would give rise to competition concerns on the market for the provision of global distribution system (GDS) services to travel service providers (airlines, car rental companies, hotels, etc) in the European Economic Area and to travel agents in several member states.'On the markets for the provision of GDS services for travel agencies, the parties would have combined market shares ranging from 40 pct to over 70 pct in Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands and the UK,' it said.'On the market for the provision of GDS services to travel service providers, the merged entity would remain the second largest GDS (behind Amadeus)'.The 'second-phase' inquiry can last up to 90 working days.Travelport -- a unit of California-based Blackstone Group -- is one of the world's largest travel conglomerates, operating brands such as Galileo, Orbitz and Gulliver's Travel Associates.Worldspan focuses on technology services for travel suppliers, travel agencies, e-commerce sites and companies worldwide.simon.zekaria@thomson.comsz/cmlCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
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EU inquiry deadline into Travelport buy of Worldspan May 3 