CHSH obtained Austrian merger control clearance for Priceline’s acquisition of KAYAK

CHSH Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati acted as Austrian counsel to priceline.com Incorporated on its acquisition of KAYAK Software Corporation.



v.l.n.r.: Nick Yanev, Bernhard Kofler-Senoner

CHSH Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati acted as Austrian counsel to priceline.com Incorporated on its acquisition of KAYAK Software Corporation.  

On 19 February 2013, the Austrian competition authorities cleared priceline.com Incorporated’s ("Priceline") acquisition of KAYAK Software Corporation ("KAYAK").

Priceline is a US public company that facilitates the booking of travel services at travel service providers such as hotels, airlines, rental car companies, holiday tour operators, and cruise operators. Priceline operates under four primary brands: Booking.com, priceline.com, Agoda.com and Rentalcars.com. KAYAK is also a US public company and its primary service offering is a travel meta-search site for airline, hotel, car rental and package holiday reservations. KAYAK's main website is kayak.com and it also operates the German language websites kayak.de, swoodoo.com and Austrian-based checkfelix.com.

Upon completion of the transaction, Priceline will acquire 100% of the shares in KAYAK by way of a merger of KAYAK with an acquisition vehicle, which is 100% owned by Priceline.

Priceline was advised by CHSH partner Bernhard Kofler-Senoner (Antitrust) and Nikolay Yanev (Antitrust, M&A). Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (London) acted as lead antitrust counsel.