Brussels, 07/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - T-Online (Internet services), and the travel agents TUI and C&N (Neckermann) have announced that they are abandoning their plan to market leisure-travel services on-line through a joint venture. The parties, following the Commission decision to open a formal investigation last 8 May, withdrew the notification of this operation on 5 June 2001. The Commission felt that this new company could have significant market shares susceptible of limiting the choice for users opting for on-line bookings. In fact, the new company could have had a privileged access to the package holiday products thanks to the scope of the mother companies specialised in holidays, TUI and Neckermann and enjoy, on the other hand, a significant potential customer base via T-Online (see EUROPE of 10 May, p.10). The plan having been withdrawn, the procedure will automatically end. T-Online indicates that it is now considering the creation of an on-line travel agency that would take the form of a company under its sole control, but in which the former partners would hold a small stake.