Sabre Holdings Corporation - proposed acquisition of lastminute.com plc

Sabre Holdings Corporation's proposed acquisition of lastminute.com plc

For the purposes of this competition assessment, the relevant markets were considered to be the market for the sale of air travel and the market for the provision of global distribution services (GDS).

The Commission formed the view that the acquisition was not likely to result in a substantial lessening of competition in either of the relevant markets. In making this decision, the Commission noted the presence of many vigorous and effective competitors, the relatively low barriers to entry to the markets and the ability of airlines and other travel related service providers to sell direct to consumers via the internet.