Brussels, 24/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved the creation of a joint venture between Amadeus (belonging to Air France, Iberia and Lufthansa) and the French retail group Galeries Lafayette, through the intermediary of its subsidiary, Laser. The new undertaking will be held equally by both partners and will operate an on-line travel agency business in France. Laser provides customer-management services to retailers in Europe, mainly in the travel sector. Amadeus, on the other hand, is an information technology company present worldwide, providing technological services, marketing and distribution services to the travel sector. The Commission's review has shown that the combined market shares of Galeries Lafayette and the joint venture in the travel sector will be negligible, both in the business and leisure sectors.