A new twist in the takeover of CWT by its competitor American Express GBT... After initially denounced the consequences of the operation on the business travel agency market, the CMA is rethinking its plans. Last November, the British competition authority had dampened the ardour of the two protagonists. Arguing in particular that CWT to innovate and thus compete with its potential buyer. The United Kingdom then changed its position in February. The CMA today confirmed this position by finally authorising the merger between the two TMCs.
The British authorities have downgraded CWT's strengths. Martin Coleman, chairman of the group of independent experts in charge of the enquiry, said: " Having considered all the evidence in detail during our investigation, we have concluded that, given CWT's weaker position in the corporate travel market and the alternatives available, this transaction should be cleared. ". According to the CMA report, " CWT is a significantly weaker competitor than in the past and is likely to continue to weaken in the future, and that there are other suppliers that will offer customers an alternative to the merged company ".
It remains to be seen what the position of the American authorities will be, in a politico-economic context that is fraught to say the least.
