Amadeus' EUR 62 million acquisition of majority stake in Opodo

Garrigues Abogados y Asesores Tributarios and Linklaters have advised Amadeus Global Travel Distribution S.A. on its acquisition of a 55 per cent stake in Opodo, the European online travel agency. Garrigues advised Amadeus in Spanish competition law while Linklaters advised the company in the acquisition and in the re-negotiation of current joint venture arrangements with the nine European Airlines (BA, Air France, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Finnair, Iberia, KLM and Austrian Air) which originally established and owned Opodo.

Le Boeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae were lawyers to the Target. Freshfields advised Amadeus in Germany while Opodo was advised by Pinsents in competition law.

Amadeus, a Madrid-based IT and distribution company for the travel industry, is acquiring the controlling interest by way of a subscription for shares for EUR 62 million. Post-completion, Amadeus will essentially have full management and operational control of Opodo.

The transaction became public on 16 June 2004. Garrigues team was led by partner Marcos Araujo and supported by associate Susana Cabrera and senior lawyer Konstantin Joergens. Linklaters' team was led by corporate partners Olivia McKendrick in London and Alejandro Ortiz in Madrid.

The Linklaters´ team also advised Amadeus Global Travel Distribution S.A. on the acquisition of 16.667% stake of Opodo and its entry into a joint venture agreement with nine European airlines in 2003.