BRUSSELS— The European Commission (EC) reports that it has restarted its antitrust investigation into Cendants $3.3 billion planned acquisition of Galileo International, according to a news wire service. The EC reportedly suspended its probe on Aug. 2 after it found that Cendant failed to supply information on its involvement with the Avis car rental operation. Cendant has not commented on the probe. In an Aug. 1 statement, the company said that a parallel investigation by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice had terminated July 9. However, a decision on any U.S. antitrust investigation has yet to be made. Galileo, meanwhile, has said that its planned meeting of shareholders to vote on Cendants offer will still go on as planned on Aug. 30. On that date, the firm says, shareholders will vote on the acquisition and merger, which would see Cendants Galaxy operation effectively merge with Galileo. Galileo currently interconnects more than 43,000 travel agencies around the world, while Cendant operates the Avis car rental operation, as well a number of hotel brands, including Howard Johnson and Ramada Franchise Systems. SOURCE: Newsbytes
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