Global travel technology leader Amadeus has announced its acquisition of SkyLink, a New York-based AI-first technology firm. This strategic move integrates SkyLink's advanced conversational AI into Amadeus' portfolio, signaling a major step towards scaling practical AI applications in travel. The acquisition is set to make travel booking smarter and more automated for travelers and corporations.
A Strategic Leap into Conversational AI
SkyLink specializes in conversational automation, built on a proprietary AI architecture and orchestration engine. Its technology is designed for seamless integration into popular chat platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams. This allows users to manage travel arrangements through natural conversation, simplifying complex booking processes.
The platform enables travelers to book flights and hotels conversationally in seconds, a significant improvement over traditional methods. For businesses, this translates into substantial cost savings and increased employee productivity by automating routine tasks. With tens of thousands of bookings completed, SkyLink has proven its ability to enhance speed and user satisfaction.
Enhancing the Corporate Travel Experience
This acquisition immediately enhances Amadeus' solutions for the corporate travel sector, particularly for Travel Management Companies (TMCs). The integration of SkyLink's technology will expand Amadeus' capabilities and strengthen its customer base in the key North American market. It addresses the evolving needs of corporate clients seeking more efficient booking tools.
The deal reflects a broader industry trend of moving beyond AI proofs of concept toward widespread adoption. For Amadeus, this acquisition underpins its strategy to deploy AI use cases that deliver tangible value and are grounded in operational reality. It builds upon the company's history of applying technology to optimize global travel operations.
Vision for a Broader AI-Powered Ecosystem
Amadeus plans to extend these AI-driven conversational capabilities beyond the corporate travel sphere. The long-term vision includes integrating this technology across airlines, airports, hospitality, and the wider travel ecosystem. This will enable providers to offer more seamless and responsive experiences to customers throughout their journey.
Atyab Bhatti, CEO of SkyLink, highlighted the synergy of the partnership, stating that combining technologies will accelerate the deployment of powerful new capabilities. He noted it is a pivotal time to deliver concrete AI solutions for the travel industry. This collaboration is poised to drive the next phase of travel innovation.
Luis Maroto, CEO of Amadeus, emphasized the company’s foundational strength for deploying AI. He described Amadeus as a trusted and deeply integrated execution layer for travel, built on global scale and decades of experience. This infrastructure enables the reliable application of AI in real-world production environments across the ecosystem.
Commitment to Responsible Innovation
Amadeus' approach to artificial intelligence is guided by a commitment to responsible and ethical development. The company's strategy involves partnerships and targeted investments to apply AI where it delivers the most operational value. A robust ethics framework ensures all innovations are developed securely and with a meaningful industry impact.
The acquisition of SkyLink by Amadeus marks a pivotal moment for AI integration within the travel sector. By embedding advanced conversational AI into its core offerings, Amadeus is not just enhancing its product suite but is actively shaping the future of travel. This move promises a more intuitive and connected experience for travelers and global corporations alike.