The Spanish company Amadeus IT Group has announced the acquisition of the French biometrics firm Idemia Public Security for 1.4 billion dollars (1.2 billion euros), in an all-cash transaction.
The purchase, currently pending closing expected for mid-2027, marks a key strategic move in the travel and security applied technology sector.
Reinforcement at airports, borders, and identity control
With this operation, Amadeus seeks to accelerate its growth in areas such as airport passenger management, border control, and biometric identification systems.
The company has underlined that the integration of Idemia will allow it to expand its potential market to 50 billion euros, compared to the previously estimated 41 billion euros.
Synergies and growth in operating margins
Amadeus foresees that the operation will have an immediate positive impact on profits, in addition to generating cost synergies estimated at around 50 million euros annually in the medium term.
The company also anticipates high-digit revenue growth and a progressive improvement in its operating margins following the integration of the French company.
Idemia Public Security, owned by the fund Advent International, employs more than 3,300 workers and provides services to more than 600 public and private clients worldwide.
Its activity focuses on biometric identification technologies, access control, and security solutions for regulated environments, including government systems.
Market reaction
After the announcement, Amadeus's shares have registered slight declines in European markets, reflecting a cautious reaction from investors to the size of the operation.
Industry analysts have pointed out that the purchase reinforces the company's positioning in an area of strategic growth, although it could reduce the room for other shareholder return policies in the short term.