The Dubai-based fund which owns Emirates airline is considering the sale of four UK leisure businesses, including Netflights and Travel Republic. Dnata Travel Group, part of the Emirates Group, has appointed City advisers to explore strategic options for the assets, which also include Gold Medal and Travelbag. Sources confirmed that consultancy AlixPartners has been engaged to lead the review, with a sale seen as the most likely outcome.
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Although both Emirates and dnata sit under the Investment Corporation of Dubai, they are managed as independent entities. The four UK businesses serve distinct parts of the travel market. Gold Medal specialises in tailor-made holidays sold to the trade, while Travelbag focuses on more premium package deals for consumers. Netflights offers budget flights, package holidays and car hire, and Travel Republic describes itself as one of the country’s leading online travel agents.
Industry sources say the businesses together account for transactions worth hundreds of millions of pounds each year. In a statement, dnata Travel Group confirmed: “Dnata Travel Group has started a process to explore strategic options for four UK-based leisure brands: Gold Medal, Netflights, Travelbag and Travel Republic. The move is part of a broader effort to align the group’s portfolio with long-term business priorities and evolving market dynamics.” The company stressed that no decisions have yet been made regarding ownership.
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Dnata added that all four firms will continue to operate without disruption to customers or partners. It said the group remains committed to acting in the best interests of its employees, customers and stakeholders, and promised to provide updates when appropriate. However, dnata declined to reveal how many staff work within the four businesses currently under review.
