Egencia takes over largest Nordic TMC

Expedia’s business travel arm Egencia is taking over the largest travel management company in the Nordic region.

A “definitive agreement” has been reached to acquire VIA Travel for an undisclosed sum.

“The combined company will offer industry-leading corporate travel management solutions across the globe,” Egencia, which claims to be the world’s fifth-largest travel management company, said.

The deal is subject to approval from relevant competition authorities.

VIA Travel covers business travel, group and meeting planning, consulting services, as well as marine, offshore and leisure travel, and has been owned by Nordic private equity investment company FS.

Expedia chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said: “Corporate travel is a growing part of Expedia, Inc.’s overall business.

“Together, VIA Travel and Egencia will provide a rich global offering to their corporate customers.

“We are very excited about welcoming VIA Travel to the Expedia family and look forward to driving innovation and providing outstanding service in the corporate travel segment around the globe.”

Egencia president Rob Greyber added: “We are very pleased to be joining forces with VIA Travel, the corporate travel leader in the Nordics.

“VIA’s strong commitment to delivering superior service to its customers is perfectly aligned to Egencia’s client first approach.

“Together, VIA Travel and Egencia will provide a robust global corporate travel service to corporate clients, supported by global and local market expertise and industry-leading technology.”

VIA Travel chief executive Espen Asheim said: “Joining one of the world’s largest travel management companies is an exciting step for VIA Travel.

“Egencia’s global scale, technology expertise and our perfectly complementary global footprint makes the joining of our companies a great outcome for our customers and employees.”