European Union: Announced Commission Phase 2 investigation into Booking proposed acquisition of eTraveli and published Statement of Objections

Description

Announced Commission Phase 2 investigation into Booking proposed acquisition of eTraveli and published Statement of Objections

On 9 June 2023, the European Commission announced that it had sent Booking a Statement of Objections over the proposed acquisition of eTraveli and opened a Phase 2 investigation. The Commission notified Booking Holdings of its initial assessment that the proposed acquisition of Flugo Group Holdings AB (eTraveli) could strengthen Booking's position in the market for hotel online travel agencies (OTAs) in the European Economic Area (EEA). Booking and eTraveli both provide OTA services, with Booking focusing on hotel OTAs and eTraveli on flight OTAs. The Commission following its in-depth investigation, preliminarily concluded that Booking has a dominant position in the hotel OTA market in the European Economic Area and noted that the acquisition could further strengthen Booking's dominance, increase barriers to entry and expansion for competing OTAs, and raise costs for hotels and customers. Booking now has the opportunity to respond to the Commission's objections. The transaction was notified to the Commission in October 2022, and the Commission has until August 2023 to issue its final decision.

Original source

Scope

Policy Area
Competition
Policy Instrument
Merger control regulation
Regulated Economic Activity
platform intermediary: other
Implementation Level
supranational
Government Branch
executive
Government Body
competition authority

Complete timeline of this policy change

Hide details
2022-11-16
under deliberation

On 16 November 2022, the European Commission announced opening an investigation into the proposed a…

2023-06-09
under investigation

On 9 June 2023, the European Commission announced that it had sent Booking a Statement of Objection…

2023-09-25
in force

On 25 September 2023, the EU Commission blocked Booking's proposed acquisition of eTraveli under th…

We use cookies and other technologies to perform analytics on our website. By opting in, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platform. See our Privacy Policy to learn more about the use of data and your rights.