Amadeus to Buy Vision-Box in €320M Deal

Amadeus has entered into an agreement to purchase Vision-Box in a deal valued at about €320 million. The latter is known for its biometric platform for airports, which revolves around the use of facial recognition to seamlessly identify passengers.

Based in Portugal, Vision-Box was founded in 2001 and has quickly become a major player in airport modernizations. Its technology has been deployed in various international airports, helping countries and organizations manage traveler identities and facilitate smooth and secure movements.

Amadeus has biometric screening technology of its own, but tends to focus more on providing airports with automated bag drop and kiosk solutions, as well as global distribution systems that are used in booking airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and other travel services. It was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

In announcing the deal, Amadeus called Vision-Box “a fast-growing business”, noting that its revenues for 2023 are expected to come in at €70 million. The company also noted the projected growth in the biometrics sector more broadly, citing a forecast from the Biometrics Research Group that estimates the industry will grow from $47.8 billion last year to $86.1 billion by 2028.

“I’m extremely excited about the growth opportunities for Vision-Box as we join Amadeus, a leading travel technology player with a global footprint,” commented Vision-Box founder and CEO Miguel Leitmann. “Together we can deliver the next big step in the travel experience: to unite all separate players and systems in a single, digitally- integrated, and orchestrated ecosystem.”

The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of this year, subject to customary regulatory approvals, and will see about 470 Vision-Box employees welcomed to Amadeus’s ranks.

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January 31, 2024 – by Alex Perala