The Spanish travel technology group Amadeus has announced its intention to acquire the French specialist for biometric identification services, Idemia Public Security (IPS), for 1,2 billion euros.
Following an intensive bidding process, the Madrid-based company secured the contract for the Idemia Group's business unit. The acquisition aims to significantly expand its market position in the area of airport infrastructure and border control systems. IPS employs approximately 3.300 people worldwide and serves over 600 customers, including government agencies and private organizations that rely on highly secure access solutions.
This acquisition marks a consistent continuation of Amadeus' expansion strategy, which began in 2024 with the purchase of the biometrics provider Vision-Box. By integrating IPS's technologies, Amadeus aims to become the central coordinator of the global travel ecosystem. Biometric identity verification will serve as the technological backbone for fully automating processes from hotel booking and border control to boarding. The use of artificial intelligence and modern identity platforms will enable real-time identity verification, significantly increasing processing speed at international transport hubs.
The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities, with completion of the acquisition projected for mid-2027. Idemia Public Security brings decades of experience in cryptography and data management to the group, extending far beyond traditional aviation. IPS's portfolio also includes solutions for citizen protection and identity management in regulated industries. For Amadeus, this acquisition represents a significant deepening of its technical expertise in linking physical and digital identity, which is considered a crucial competitive advantage in the industry for the coming years.
Industry experts view this move as a response to the growing global demand for automated border control systems and contactless travel processes. While Amadeus was previously known primarily for its global distribution systems (GDS), such acquisitions are transforming the company into an increasingly integrated infrastructure service provider. The combination of Amadeus, Vision-Box, and now IPS's capabilities creates a global market leader in biometric travel support, capable of offering complete, end-to-end system solutions for airlines, airports, and government agencies.