An independent CMA inquiry group has preliminarily determined that the merger between Global Business Travel Group (GBT) and CWT Holdings LLC (CWT) could significantly reduce competition in the corporate travel management sector. Both companies cater to global businesses with high travel expenditure and international travel needs.

The merged entity would become the dominant market player, potentially leading to diminished competition, reduced choice, lower quality, and higher prices for customers. The evidence considered includes market share estimates, bidding data, internal documents of the companies, and feedback from customers and competitors.

This investigation marks the first under the CMA's revised Phase 2 merger process, aiming to enhance engagement opportunities for involved parties and streamline the investigation for better outcomes. The new process allows for increased interaction with merging companies and affected businesses, facilitating a more efficient decision-making process.

Business travel remains crucial for many companies despite the rise of video conferencing, contributing significantly to the UK economy through global trade, supply chains, and international investments. The CMA's provisional findings suggest that the merger could limit competition in the business travel sector, potentially raising costs for companies.