Travel tech company Flix has announced the acquisition of a majority share of airport transport platform Flibco.
The parent company of UK-based FlixBus says the move will strengthen its expansion into the airport shuttle sector and facilitate further growth of Flibco.
The current owners of Flibco, Luxembourg company SLG, will remain a minority shareholder and strategic partner.
The fast-growing airport shuttle specialist won the contract to operate the London-London Stansted service last year. The Flibco-branded shuttles are provided by The Coach Travel Group.
Flibco will continue operations under existing management, the companies confirm.
For Flix, the acquisition continues a move into airport services after significantly expanding its intercity travel offering.
It already operates from European airports and “sees significant potential in scaling dedicated airport connections by building on Flibco’s established network and expertise”.
Like Flix, Flibco owns no coaches and contracts operators, while focusing on data systems, websites, marketing and timetabling.
André Schwämmlein, Flix CEO says: “Over the years, we have learned that customers are looking for reliable and affordable ways to get to and from airports – not just between cities.
“This investment allows us to expand into the airport shuttle segment in a targeted way. Flibco has built a strong business in a fragmented market, and we see clear potential to scale it further by leveraging Flix’s platform, technology and reach.”
Customers will continue to book airport shuttle tickets via flibco.com, while Flibco routes will eventually also be available on the Flix platform, which will make it easier to book onward connections.
Marc Sales, Associate at SLG, adds: “We built the Flibco concept with a clear dream: to become the leader in airport mobility.
“Finding a partner who shares that ambition and can match the speed at which we need to grow, feels like a turning point for us.
“As a family-owned group, innovation has always been at the heart of what we do, and Flibco reflects that spirit. With Flix now by our side, we can take this vision further across borders and unlock new possibilities for our whole group.”
Tobias Stüber will continue to lead Flibco from its headquarters in Luxembourg.
“The partnership with Flix marks the next milestone in Flibco’s successful growth story,” says Mr Stüber. “We share the same vision of making affordable and sustainable mobility accessible to everyone.
“By combining Flibco’s innovative strength and operational excellence with Flix’s global network, we will expand into new markets faster than ever before.
“At the same time, we remain committed to offering our passengers a fully digital, comfortable and reliable travel experience – from booking to arrival at the terminal.”
Last year, Flibco said its 12-bay transport hub at Brussels South Charleroi Airport as the exclusive shuttle provider represents a planned model for the future as it targeted expansion in the UK and becoming Europe’s leader in the airport transfer field.
