Sean O'Neill, Skift
A year ago the U.S. changed its corporate tax law. A look at the impact on travel tech giant Sabre may show, by example, the benefits to many U.S. businesses broadly. The reform appeared to give the company added financial flexibility in 2018.
1 month ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
Few companies other than activist investor Elliott Management expressed a serious interest in acquiring Travelport. Elliott twice lost potential private equity partners after they reviewed Travelport's books. The deal price is underwhelming, and that's a signal that some things haven't been going the company's way.
2 months ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
The hotel tech group that Jonas Hospitality has put together through acquisitions of Leonardo, MSI, Springer-Miller, and BookAssist is admittedly small. But its creation says a lot about the pressures to consolidate in hotel tech. Experts debate the pros and cons of such roll-ups.
2 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
There have been several new technologies, from the New Distribution Capability to direct-connect, and blockchain, that have at times shown promise in easing the grip of the global distribution systems. For the last 20 years, the incumbent distributors have always managed to exert or shore up their roles.
2 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
Southwest has perennially been a thorn in the side of online travel companies that lusted after getting access to its flights and fares. But no one can credibly argue that Southwest's insistence on direct distribution hasn't worked for the airline. Its competitors and peers inside and outside of the airline industry can only be jealous.
2 months ago
Patrick Whyte, Skift
There's no guarantee that the European Commission will act on this complaint but it shows that the online travel industry is still very annoyed with Lufthansa's actions.
3 months ago
Maria Lenhart, Skift
As more business travelers view their trips as working vacations, travel advisors must draw on both corporate and leisure travel-planning skills. It's no simple challenge, but it's necessary given the strength of the bleisure travel trend.
3 months ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
This year Lufthansa made a series of small moves that, when looked at together, reveal a doubling down on its multi-front strategy to pressure Amadeus, Travelport, and especially Sabre to conform more to its preferred airline distribution practices. Connect the dots, and it looks like a low-grade war.
4 months ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
Travelport has only been on the public market for four years, but hedge fund Elliott Management believes it can engineer a leveraged buyout that will unlock more value from the company. A spin-off of payments unit eNett is a likely early goal.
4 months ago
Brian Sumers, Skift
It has been a long time since Los Angeles International Airport has seen real gate growth. It's nice to see the airport considering some expansion.
4 months ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
In settling this lawsuit, Amadeus doesn't admit to any wrongdoing or violations of antitrust law. Along with Travelport, Amadeus agreed to have its team engage in antitrust compliance training.
4 months ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
It's anyone's guess whether travel distribution giants Amadeus and Sabre might have run afoul of the European Union's rules. But a look at the history of those companies' airline contracts provides clues as to what might be top of mind with investigators.
4 months ago