Menzies Aviation (UK) Limited / Airline Services Limited merger inquiry

The CMA has investigated the completed acquisition by Menzies Aviation (UK) Limited of part of the business of Airline Services Limited.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
23 April 2018
Last updated
17 January 2019 — See all updates
Case type:
Mergers
Case state:
Closed
Market sector:
Aerospace
Outcome:
Mergers - phase 2 clearance
Opened:
23 April 2018
Closed:
18 February 2019

Statutory timetable

Phase 2

Administrative timetable

Date of referral: 14.8.18

Statutory deadline: 28.1.19

Final report

Provisional findings

The CMA has provisionally cleared the merger between Menzies and Airline Services.

Evidence

The publication of the evidence of any party on the CMA’s webpages does not indicate in any way endorsement by the CMA of the views expressed in the evidence or acceptance of that evidence. Publication in this way is designed to assist public understanding of the issues.

Responses to the issues statement

Response to the phase 1 decision

Merger Notice

Directions for Monitoring Trustee

18 September 2018: On 7 September 2018, pursuant to an interim order dated 19 April 2018, the CMA directed Menzies Aviation (UK) Limited to appoint a monitoring trustee.

Issues Statement

18 September 2018: The issues statement sets out the scope of the investigation. It outlines initial theories on what might be adversely affecting competition, but it does not set out findings or conclusions.

Inquiry group appointed

14 August 2018: The CMA has appointed the inquiry group:

Anne Lambert (Inquiry Chair), Anne Fletcher, Ulrike Hotopp and Paul Muysert.

Terms of reference

14 August 2018: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by Menzies Aviation (UK) Limited of part of the business of Airline Services Limited for an in-depth investigation.

Phase 1

Phase 1 Date Action
7 August 2018 Decision announced
12 to 26 June 2018 Invitation to comment
12 June 2018 Launch of merger inquiry
23 April 2018 Initial enforcement order

Reference decision

14 August 2018: The CMA has referred the completed acquisition by Menzies Aviation (UK) Limited of part of the business of Airline Services Limited for an in-depth investigation:

Reference unless undertakings accepted

7 August 2018: The CMA has decided, on the information currently available to it, that it is or may be the case that this merger may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom. This merger will be referred for a phase 2 investigation unless the parties offer acceptable undertakings to address these competition concerns.

Invitation to comment: now closed

12 June 2018: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Launch of merger inquiry

12 June 2018: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

Initial enforcement order

On 19 April 2018, the CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Menzies Aviation (UK) Limited and John Menzies plc, in relation to the completed acquisition by Menzies Aviation (UK) Limited of part of the business of Airline Services Limited.

Amendments/consents granted:

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to:

general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk

Published 23 April 2018
Last updated 17 January 2019 + show all updates

  1. Final report published for Menzies / Airlines merger clearance.

  2. Provisional findings report published

  3. Responses to issues statement and phase 1 decision published.

  4. Derogation published.

  5. Issues statement, merger notice and Directions for Monitoring Trustee published.

  6. Full administrative timetable published.

  7. Full text decision published.

  8. Reference decision and terms of reference published.

  9. Decision to refer for a phase 2 investigation unless undertakings are accepted announced.

  10. Derogation notices published.

  11. Derogations published.

  12. Commencement notice and invitation to comment published.

  13. First published.

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