# C_2006172EN.01002301.xml

| 25.7.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 172/23 |
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25.7.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 172/23

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4324 — Blackstone/Travelport)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2006/C 172/08)

(Text with EEA relevance)

| 1. | On 14 July 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the Blackstone Group (‘Blackstone’ USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation sole control of the whole of Travelport Inc. (‘Travelport’, USA), via purchase of shares. |
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1.

On 14 July 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the Blackstone Group (‘Blackstone’ USA) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation sole control of the whole of Travelport Inc. (‘Travelport’, USA), via purchase of shares.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | Blackstone: a private merchant banking firm active mainly in financial advisory services, private equity and property investments; |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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Blackstone: a private merchant banking firm active mainly in financial advisory services, private equity and property investments;

| — | Travelport: a geographically diverse collection of travel distribution brands and businesses. |
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Travelport: a geographically diverse collection of travel distribution brands and businesses.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified concentration could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified concentration could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4324 — Blackstone/Travelport, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Brussels |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4324 — Blackstone/Travelport, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Brussels

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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