Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has asked the European Commission to investigate the merger of two providers of airline passenger service systems
Amadeus and Navitaire both supply IT solutions, including passenger service systems, to airlines and other customers in the UK, Europe and across the world. Amadeus IT Group S.A. plans to acquire the information technology solutions, including the passenger service systems, business of Navitaire LLC.
The proposed acquisition qualifies for investigation by multiple EU Member States, including the UK, and the Competition and Markets Authority believes that in this instance it would be appropriate for the EC to undertake a single investigation on behalf of those Member States that wish to transfer jurisdiction to it.
Such a step is procedural and does not prejudge the EC's ability to determine, if it accepts jurisdiction, whether competition concerns arise in the UK as a result of the merger.
Other EU Member States have 15 working days from receipt of the CMA's request to determine whether to join the request. The Commission then has 10 working days in which to notify the CMA whether it has accepted jurisdiction in this case.
The CMA will publish on its website a non-confidential version of its request in due course.