Dnata UK ‘excited’ at prospect of exploring new ownership options

Dnata Travel Group’s UK chief executive said her team is “very excited” at the prospect of exploring new ownership options, adding “we are the proponents of this”.

Speaking at Travel Weekly’s Future of Travel Conference, Lesley Rollo said she and the UK board had known “for some time” about the plans to review the brands and had focused on ensuring “everybody feels secure and well informed”.

Earlier this month, Dubai‑based parent company dnata Travel Group, which is part of Emirates Group, confirmed it was “exploring strategic options” for UK leisure brands Gold Medal, Netflights, Travelbag and Travel Republic.

Consulting firm AlixPartners has been hired to oversee the process, with reports suggesting a sale is the likeliest outcome.

Rollo said: “This is certainly not something that has been done to us. We are very much the proponents of this, and we are very excited for what the future might hold.

“We are all keen to explore new options for ourselves.”

Rollo praised the “great ownership” of the Emirates Group, but added there could be “some constraints” from being part of such a large organisation.
She said: “We are a group of individuals who want to make things happen quickly, but sometimes when you work for a group as big as that, we have felt some constraints over the years.”

She added that “everybody is excited” about the next chapter. 

Rollo acknowledged the process “might take a while” given the current market, but said Emirates had been “extremely supportive”, adding: “If it takes time, it takes time.”

She said the operator had not received as many questions from trade partners as anticipated after the news became public, while noting some members of staff had worked for their respective brands for more than 30 years under different owners.

“Everyone is quite calm about it. It is business as usual,” she said. 

Dnata Travel Group UK employs more than 800 people across its headquarters in Leyland, Lancashire, and offices in London, Chester and Halifax, according to an Institute of Travel & Tourism company profile.