Orbitz and the Galileo GDS system have been spun off by parent company Cendant in a £2.3 billion pound deal with US investment firm Blackstone – but well-advanced plans for a relaunch of Ebookers will continue. The cash deal for Cendant’s Travelport business follows months of negotiations behind the scenes after the company revealed it…
Ebookers relaunch safe despite sale of Travelport
Orbitz and the Galileo GDS system have been spun off by parent company Cendant in a £2.3 billion pound deal with US investment firm Blackstone – but well-advanced plans for a relaunch of Ebookers will continue.
The cash deal for Cendant’s Travelport business follows months of negotiations behind the scenes after the company revealed it would offload the operation late last year.
The move has been touted by Travelport’s chairman Gordon Bethune as a major step for the whole online travel industry.
Travelport is expected to continue with major plans to overhaul the Ebookers site in November this year.
This will be the first part of major work behind the scenes to eventually integrate Travelport’s European sites onto a standard platform.
Regional differences within sites will also be phased out as part of the redevelopment work.
Bethune said: “I believe Travelport is poised to become the most relevant global brand in the travel industry.
“Whether you’re a traveller, travel professional or travel supplier, Travelport will offer more ways for its customers to create and enjoy exceptional travel experiences.”
Cendant rebranded its Travel Distribution Services brand into Travelport earlier this year, ahead of a sale of the business.
Cendant is also expected to spin off its Wyndham Worldwide and Realogy businesses by mid-July.
Travelport chief executive and president Jeff Clarke said: “As a private company, Travelport will now have considerably greater financial latitude and firepower to take advantage of burgeoning opportunities in the travel market.
“Our unmatched global reach and local expertise, together with our strong management team and unique portfolio of assets, is a great combination for future success in the flourishing travel space.”
