Competition

Ryanair hails European Commssion block on Booking.com deal as ‘good news’ for consumers

Didier Reynders, the EU antitrust chief, said there were fears the proposed deal would strengthen Booking's dominant position on the market for hotel OTAs in the European Economic Area

Booking.com said it would challenge the decision, which has won unconditional approval in the US and Britain.

Ryanair has welcomed a European Commission decision to block Booking.com’s proposed €1.63 billion acquisition of Etraveli, a global flight platform.

The Commission yesterday blocked the proposed deal after Booking.com failed to allay concerns about its dominance in online hotel reservations.

It said Booking's remedies were not sufficient to address its concerns.

In a statement issued following the decision, Ryanair said: “Ryanair welcomed the European Commission’s decision to block Booking.com’s proposed anticompetitive acquisition of Etraveli.

“Booking.com’s ...