Amadeus has set out intentions to acquire Idemia Public Security (IPS), a France-based provider of biometric and identity services, for 1.2 billion euros (US$1.30 billion), following a competitive bid process.
The proposed deal, subject to regulatory approvals and expected to close by mid-2027, would extend Amadeus’ capabilities in biometrics and digital identity. IPS operates globally across public and private sectors and brings an established customer base and technology platform.
The move follows Amadeus’ 2024 purchase of Vision-Box and is intended to strengthen its position in airport and border systems. The company links airlines, airports, hotels and border authorities, and the addition of IPS would increase the number of points at which it interacts with travellers.
Biometric identity is becoming more widely used across travel processes, including check-in, security and boarding. Integrating these systems with existing platforms may support automated processing and identity verification across different stages of a journey.
IPS employs about 3,300 people and serves more than 600 customers. Its work includes passenger processing as well as applications in access control and government identity systems. These areas are subject to regulation and rely on secure identity verification.
The combined capabilities are expected to support more connected travel processes, including faster verification and data exchange between stakeholders such as airlines, airports and border agencies.
The transaction remains subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval.
Luis Maroto, president and CEO, Amadeus, said: “Alongside AI, biometrics is one of the most transformative technologies for delivering fast, convenient, and secure end-to-end traveller journeys. This will enable us to deliver our services across more traveller touch points, in turn reducing friction, and improving the traveller experience, while supporting our ambition to further expand biometric capabilities, extending traveller ID throughout the journey.”
“In a fast-evolving AI-world the bridging of physical and digital identity will be critical for seamless travel. By combining Amadeus and IPS capabilities, we will be able to create more joined-up travel journeys in the future, better connecting the travel ecosystem and linking the traveller to the different steps of the journey,” added Decius Valmorbida, president, travel, Amadeus.
