2022 was another busy year of mergers and acquisitions across the corporate travel sector, including more consolidation within the travel management industry as well as key moves by technology specialists.
There were a host of acquisitions by major TMCs, with TripActions heavily active again in the European market, including its purchase of German TMC Comtravo in February and Sweden’s Resia AB a month later. New player TakeTwo Travel Solutions snapped up the UK’s Eton Travel, while Gray Dawes, which has a long history of M&A deals, made Ventur Travel its latest acquisition.
Elsewhere in the TMC space, American Express Global Business Travel made its long-awaited debut as a public company in the US during 2022; while ATPI created standalone technology brand TripStax, which quickly snapped up both TapTrip and Hotelzon in its bid to become a major player.
Other big deals in 2022 saw Sabre acquire Conferma Pay, which BTN Europe revealed, and JetBlue win the long-running battle for fellow US carrier Spirit Airlines. UK regional airline Flybe also returned to the fray after a two-year absence.
The following stories covering mergers, acquisitions and business launches were all published by Business Travel News and BTN Europe.
January 2022
UK's Eton Travel Group acquired by TakeTwo CEO
Wheels Up to acquire Air Partner
February 2022
CIBT aims for growth after acquiring documents specialist
TripActions to acquire leading German travel management company
Vista Global to acquire private jet operator Air Hamburg
ATPI Group purchases Australia-based TMC
March 2022
TripActions continues acquisition spree with addition of Swedish TMC
UK's Norad Travel Group acquired by Israel's Talma
ATPI spins off tech products as standalone company
IAG looks to revive bid to purchase Air Europa
Eurostar-Thalys merger given green light by European Commission
April 2022
CTM completes acquisition of Helloworld Corporate
Point A Hotels set for expansion after acquisition
Revived Flybe resumes services after two-year absence
May 2022
Traveldoo put up for sale by Expedia Group
CDS Groupe acquires Rydoo travel tool
German investment group wins battle for Stagecoach
Amex GBT begins life as a public company
June 2022
Cvent acquires UK-based online specialist Venue Directory
July 2022
CTM continues expansion with acquisition of independent travel network
The Ascott acquires serviced apartment rival Oakwood Worldwide
TripStax acquires online booking platform TapTrip
Price paid by TravelPerk for Click Travel revealed
JetBlue to acquire Spirit Airlines
August 2022
Snowfall steps in to secure future of PSNGR1
Gray Dawes Group acquires fellow TMC Ventur Travel
HRS acquires German expense management platform
Sabre acquires Conferma Pay
September 2022
Italy moves to sell ITA Airways
CMAC Group snaps up European transfers specialist
Wyndham acquires European hotel brand
CMAC Group makes second Iberian acquisition this month
TripActions reportedly files for IPO
October 2022
UK regional carrier Loganair put up for sale
Meetingselect acquires hospitality tech firm Cyberdigma
Marriott acquires City Express hotels in $100m deal
FLEETCOR moves to acquire Roomex
November 2022
Reed & Mackay purchases Spanish events and travel specialist
Palace Resorts acquires Italy’s Baglioni Hotels & Resorts
Air India and Vistara agree to merge
December 2022
TripStax announces deal to acquire Hotelzon from Travelport
Related: Who bought whom in 2021