Traveling without a passport, boarding pass, or hotel key: The seamless travel Amadeus dreams of

"Tech companies dream of facilitating these seamless journeys through biometrics, which uniquely identifies people based on their individual biology. And whoever controls the biometric system will control a significant part of the future tourist experience, becoming a key supplier for infrastructure operators (and governments). Following this business logic, Amadeus, the highly profitable technology solutions company for the sector (translating more than 20% of its sales into profit), has positioned itself at the forefront."

"Founded in 1987 by four European airlines, including Iberia, the company made an announcement last week that may be decisive for its future: it intends to acquire, for 1.2 billion ($1.41 billion), the continent's leading biometrics and identity company, the French firm Idemia Public Security (IPS). In 2024, it had already acquired the Portuguese company Vision-Box, specializing in biometrics for border controls, and has implemented its solutions in some airports, such as Narita (Japan)."

"Luis Maroto, its CEO, explained in a subsequent meeting with analysts that the acquisition is strategically important because, in addition to its technology platform, IPS would provide them with a strong global client portfolio, especially in the United States and Asia, which would complement their existing portfolio. Biometrics understood as access control, identification, and the associated data solutions is, for the executive, an essential component of their business that, he estimated, will allow them to save 50 million ($58.7 million) annually in the medium term."

Biometrics can enable travel and access without boarding passes, passports, or physical keys by identifying people through individual biology. Control of biometric systems can shape tourist experiences and become a key supplier for infrastructure operators and governments. Amadeus, a profitable travel technology company founded by European airlines, is positioning itself in this market. It plans to acquire Idemia Public Security for 1.2 billion, adding a leading biometrics and identity provider. The deal is expected to complement Amadeus’s existing biometrics work, including a prior acquisition of Vision-Box and deployments in airports such as Narita. The acquisition is projected to save 50 million annually in the medium term, while some observers remain cautious about future prospects.

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