Acquisition

Dragonpass acquires iCoupon, uniting two Manchester travel platforms

What's the deal? Travel and lifestyle platform DragonpassDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has acquired iCouponDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a global vouchering company that connects airlines, airports, and travel retailers. Both firms are headquartered in Greater Manchester and have partnered for around a decade. The deal value was undisclosed.

What each does: iCoupon links airlines, airports, and travel retailers across more than 4,000 retail units in over 400 airports. Dragonpass connects more than 34 million members worldwide with premium travel and lifestyle services.

Sale-headquartered iCoupon, led by chief executive Richard Bye, surpassed one billion supported passengers across its global airline network earlier this year.

The rationale: Dragonpass said the deal gives clients "a broader, more flexible proposition, with benefits more of their customers will use, more often." It called the acquisition "a brilliant moment for both businesses."

What changes? iCoupon said joining Dragonpass opens access to services including lounge access, airport dining, concierge, wellness experiences, and Fast Track. Over time, it plans to bring these capabilities into the iCoupon ecosystem for its airline, airport, and retail partners.

For now, it is business as usual, with the same iCoupon team. EY and Eversheds SutherlandDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → advised iCoupon.

The signal: The deal folds two long-standing partners into a single travel-services platform, pointing to consolidation in the airline and airport passenger-experience market as providers bundle lounges, dining, and vouchering into one offer.

Read more: insidermedia.com

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