Disclaimer :

The Competition DG makes the information provided by the notifying parties in section 4 of Short Form CO available to the public in order to increase transparency. This information has been prepared by the notifying parties under their sole responsibility, and its content in no way prejudges the view the Commission may take of the planned operation. Nor can the Commission be held responsible for any incorrect or misleading information contained therein.

SECTION 4

Description of the concentration

This notification concerns:

-- Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA («Norwegian»); and

-- Strawberry Holding AS («Strawberry»).

Norwegian is an air transport operator founded in 1993 listed on Oslo Stock Exchange with no controlling shareholders. It operates domestic flights in the Nordics and international flights from the Nordics to destinations in Europe, as well as some destinations in North Africa. Norwegian’s organization is divided into three business areas responsible for aircrafts and assets, flight operations, as well as crew.

Strawberry is an investment company controlled by Petter A. Stordalen. Through its subsidiaries, Strawberry operates the Nordic Choice Hospitality Group that owns 200 hotels split across four hotel chains (Comfort, Clarion, Clarion Collection, and Quality) in the Nordics and the Baltics, as well as a portfolio of other independent hotels. Besides activity in the hotel sector, Strawberry holds investments in other sectors including travel, trade, real estate and securities investments, financial advisory, art, and adjacent services.

Norwegian and Strawberry will create, within the meaning of Article 3 (4) of the Merger Regulation, a full-function joint venture through the transfer of certain assets and liabilities into a jointly controlled company (the «Proposed JV») incorporated in Norway, with intent of Nordic subsidiaries. Its business activity will be the operation of a common multicompany loyalty scheme intended to offer a wide range of benefits to members across the Nordics. The loyalty scheme will be open to join for a variety of companies across a variety of sectors, including companies with and/or without a current loyalty scheme.

Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË - Tel. +32 22991111