Amadeus Expands Biometric Business with the Acquisition of Vision-Box

Amadeus today announces the acquisition of Vision-Box, a leading provider of biometric solutions for airports, airlines and border controls.

The acquisition of Vision-Box will bring new capabilities in the biometric hardware and software environment, adding border control solutions to the Amadeus product line, which will now be able to offer passengers a complete and complex experience, starting with the reservation until arrival at the
airport, passing through border control and boarding.

This acquisition will contribute to Amadeus' goal of being part of an integrated ecosystem that connects the travel industry. In this sense, this transaction will allow exceptional biometric interoperability between airports, airlines and border control authorities. In addition, it will complement and enhance Amadeus' existing value proposition for airlines and airports, which focuses on providing a simple experience for all passengers, optimizing operations and driving effective incident management.

The use of biometrics in border control is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years: the Biometrics Research Group estimates that the global biometrics sector will reach $86.1 billion in 2028, up from $47.8 billion projected for 2023. This growth is driven by the travel industry's growing focus on digitalization to improve the travel experience, address operational pressures and meet regulatory demands.

Vision-Box, which is a fast-growing global company with expected revenues of €70 million and estimated normalized EBITDA of €20 million in 2023, is part-owned by Keensight Capital, a venture capital fund dedicated to pan-European investments. growth (Growth Buyout).

Amadeus will fully acquire Vision-Box, through a private transaction, for an agreed price (EV) of approximately €320 million. As part of this acquisition, approximately 470 Vision-Box employees will become part of Amadeus. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first half of 2024.

Decius Valmorbida, President, Travel, Amadeus, commented: “Biometrics is a strategic and fast-growing sector, and Vision-Box's capabilities will allow us to accelerate our growth in this area. With a product line that perfectly complements our existing offering for both airports and airlines, our solutions will now offer a hassle-free journey, from booking to boarding. “This acceleration of our ecosystem approach will bring immediate and tangible benefits to our customers and travelers.”

Miguel Leitmann, Founder and CEO of Vision-Box, added: “I am very excited about the growth opportunities for Vision-Box as we join Amadeus, a leading travel technology company with a global presence. Together we can take the next big step in the travel experience: uniting all the separate actors and systems into a single, digitally integrated and orchestrated ecosystem. “This compelling value proposition will drive user experience, punctuality, infrastructure utilization and other key metrics to new levels of efficiency.”

Biometric technology brings value to airports, airlines and their passengers. IATA's Global Passenger Survey 2023 revealed that 75% of passengers are willing to use biometric data to streamline airport processes instead of showing passports and boarding passes. Having agile touchpoints allows passengers to arrive at the gate on time, reducing stress levels and providing more time to spend in lounges or shopping areas. A faster and smoother boarding experience thanks to biometrics also allows airlines to improve their on-time goals. Another advantage of this technology is that fewer airline staff are required to assist at biometric touchpoints, freeing up agents to handle more complex customer queries and provide the best possible customer service at the airport.