Sabre confirms sale for $US4.45billion
Sabre Holdings has confirmed the purchase of the company for $US4.45bn by private equity groups Silver Lake Holdings and Texas Pacific, as predicted in TravelMole earlier today.
The multi billion $ deal includes the assumption of approximately $550 million in net debt and the two private equity groups are paying $32.75 a share.
The Sabre sale brings all of the world’s largest travel distribution companies, which operate IT systems for airline reservations, under private ownership, with Galileo and Worldspan, Sabre’s main competitors in the US, last week agreeing to merge in a $1.4bn deal as portfolio companies of Blackstone, the New York-based private equity group and in Europe, the Amadeus group is also owned by buy-out groups.
The deal, along with Texas Pacific’s involvement in the takeover of Qantas with Macquarie Bank, represents a massive vote of confidence in the travel sector.
Sabre is headquartered in Texas, but has 9,000 employees around the world, posting revenues of $US2.5bn and net income of $US172m last year.
Sabre does not expect to make changes to its current executive management team, and the company said its corporate headquarters will remain in Southlake, with Sam Gilliland, Chairman and CEO of Sabre Holdings, saying in a media release, “After a thorough assessment, we concluded that this transaction represents a compelling outcome for our shareholders, customers and employees.”
He added, “We are excited about the ability to deliver substantial value today to our shareholders, and we look forward to a strong future, partnering with two pre-eminent investment firms that are closely aligned with our strategy and long-term objectives.”
“This transaction is a clear endorsement of our business model, our industry leadership and the hard work and dedication of our talented people around the world.”
Greg Mondre, Managing director of Silver Lake, also said: “Sabre has a remarkable track record of pioneering and delivering best-in-class technology solutions for the global travel industry and we look forward to working with Sabre’s talented management team as they continue to deploy technology as a source of competitive advantage and value-add for customers.”
Texas Pacific Partner Karl Peterson added, “We are excited by the opportunity to invest in Sabre given its leadership position in travel technology and distribution and the strength of Travelocity and its other leading online brands and Sabre is well positioned to continue innovating and we look forward to helping management profitably build upon this strong franchise.”
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11