The Competition Commission, in its meeting on 13.09.2023, with Decision no. 1013, dated 13.09.2023, decided to open the in-depth investigation procedure against the company Tirana International Airport SHPK and the company Auto Holiday Albania SHPK in the taxi service market for travelers to and from Tirana International Airport. The in-depth investigation will cover the time period from January 1, 2022 to October 15, 2023.
Despite the fact that the TIA company has implemented VKK no. 987, dated 24.05.2023 “On taking a temporary measure to restore competition in the taxi service market for travelers from and to Tirana International Airport”, the fact that until the moment of ascertainment by the Competition Authority the company Tirana International Airport LLC has placed in the external arrivals area (or otherwise the Kiss&Fly area) the sign with the text “Taxi without passengers is prohibited”, as well as not allowing the service and other taxis operating in the market, within the territory of Tirana International Airport, which nature itself is an essential facility for air transport and this company is the sole owner and administrator of the infrastructure and facilities of the international airport of Tirana, owning 100% of the relevant market shares, in the sense of Article 9 of the Law no. 9121, dated 28.07.2003 “For the protection of competition”, the behavior of TIA may constitute an abuse of the dominant position by refusing access to other companies that are licensed and that offer the service of road transport of passengers by taxi from the airport to Tirana or a next destination.
During the meeting on 13.09.2023, the Competition Commission considered two merger notices:
- The concentration realized through the creation of a joint enterprise, with full functions, by the companies Messer SE & Co. KGaA and Toyota Tsusho Europe.
- The concentration realized through the acquisition of control of the company Vrumona B.V. from the company Royal Unibrew A/S through the company Company of June 2023 B.V.
The announced concentrations do not create overlaps or upstream or downstream relations between the activities of the parties at the national level and for these reasons, will not bring any change and will not have an impact on the Albanian market.
For these reasons, the Competition Commission with Decision no. 1011, dated 13.09.2023, decided to authorize the concentration realized through the creation of a joint enterprise, with full functions, by the companies Messer SE & Co. KGaA and Toyota Tsusho Europe and with Decision no. 1012, dated 13.09.2023, decided to authorize the concentration realized through the acquisition of control of the company Vrumona B.V. from the company Royal Unibrew A/S through the company Company of June 2023 B.V.
In addition, please consult the official website of the Competition Authority at https://caa.gov.al