COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – Airfare intelligence specialist Infare Solutions A/S (Infare) is acquiring the air data business of QL2 Software LLC (QL2) to enhance its offer in airfare data and analysis tools focused entirely on serving the needs of airlines and airports.
Founded in 2000 in Copenhagen, Infare is relied upon by more than 165 airlines and airports for high-quality, consistent airfare data and powerful analysis tools that allow day-to-day and long-term strategic revenue management, pricing and network decisions to be taken with confidence.
As a result of the transaction, QL2’s current airline and airport customers will become customers of Infare, supported by the company’s world-class data and products and 80 specialist staff. QL2’s strategic exit from the airline and airport segment will allow the company to focus its growth on other areas of travel, retail and finance.
Every day, Infare delivers more than 2.5 billion airfare observations to its customers worldwide through bespoke data files. Through its Pharos, Altus and Airports analysis tools, Infare enables revenue and pricing managers, analysts and route and network planners to undertake detailed analysis of current and historic competitor pricing to help maximise flight and route profitability.
Nils Gelbjerg-Hansen, CEO of Infare, says: “We are thrilled to welcome our new customers and are working closely with QL2 to ensure they experience a seamless transition under their existing contractual terms. Combining QL2’s aviation business with our own will enable Infare to be an even stronger partner for our customers, whose need for actionable data insights is growing exponentially. Over the past two years, we’ve had a very positive response to the launch of our Pharos and Altus analysis tools, which give customers the power to undertake comparative airfare analysis in unprecedented ways. As a larger business, we will be even better placed to keep investing in new products and services to underpin our customers’ profitability.”
Carl C. Wartzack, President & CEO of QL2, says: “We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with Infare, a company which shares our commitment to data integrity, technological innovation and excellent customer service. This transition enables QL2 to focus on our existing clients in sectors where we have substantial leadership, such as travel as well as the retail and financial markets, by providing the best available data and insights to help customers make the most profitable decisions on a daily basis.”
The agreement is being funded through an investment in Infare by Ventiga Capital Partners LLP. Infare was advised in relation to the transactions with QL2 and Ventiga by Nordic M&A.
Niclas Gabran, Managing Partner of Ventiga Capital Partners, says: “We are very excited to become a shareholder in Infare following its acquisition of QL2’s airline and airport business. We look forward to supporting Infare and its management team in its growth strategy going forward.”
Lars-Erik Houmann Christensen, Chairman, Infare, says: “The acquisition of the QL2 airline business is a great step for Infare and fully in line with our strategy of delivering the most comprehensive data and competitive intelligence tools for the global airline industry. We look forward to supplying both our existing and new customers and we will continue to stay focused on their needs.”
