12/06/2023 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission has informed Booking Holdings of its preliminary view on its proposed acquisition of Flugo Group Holdings AB (eTraveli). Both companies are active in the online travel agency services market. After an in-depth investigation, the Commission communicated its objections to Booking. It considers that the proposed transaction, notified on 10 October 2022, could harm already limited competition on the market for online travel agencies in the hotel sector in the European Economic Area, in particular by further strengthening Booking’s position on this market and raising barriers to entry and expansion for competing firms. The Commission is also concerned that the merger could lead to higher costs for hotels and, potentially, for end consumers. Link to case: https://aeur.eu/f/7f4 (EV)