Sen. Lee Commends DOJ for Rigorous Review of Expedia-Orbitz Merger, Promises Continued Oversight of Competition for Travel Services
September 18, 2015
WASHINGTON—Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) today issued the following statement regarding the Department of Justice’s approval of the Expedia-Orbitz merger:
“I thank the Department of Justice for conducting a rigorous and thorough review of the merger between Expedia and Orbitz, two of the most popular online travel booking websites. The Department concluded that the deal is unlikely to result in new charges to consumers or higher commissions from airlines and hotels. It also observed that the travel booking marketplace is “rapidly evolving” and experiencing new entry. For these reasons, it found that the merger will not lessen competition. I appreciate this thoughtful analysis and look forward to continuing to monitor competition in the travel industry to ensure that consumers are benefitting from vigorous competition.”
“I thank the Department of Justice for conducting a rigorous and thorough review of the merger between Expedia and Orbitz, two of the most popular online travel booking websites. The Department concluded that the deal is unlikely to result in new charges to consumers or higher commissions from airlines and hotels. It also observed that the travel booking marketplace is “rapidly evolving” and experiencing new entry. For these reasons, it found that the merger will not lessen competition. I appreciate this thoughtful analysis and look forward to continuing to monitor competition in the travel industry to ensure that consumers are benefitting from vigorous competition.”
