Friday, August 2, 2024
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The Lufthansa Group has successfully completed the sale of AirPlus International GmbH, formerly known as Lufthansa AirPlus Servicekarten GmbH. This milestone transaction sees AirPlus, along with all its international subsidiaries and branches, transition from Lufthansa Group’s ownership to SEB Kort Bank AB, headquartered in Stockholm. The contractual agreement for the sale was initially reached in June 2023, with the purchase price set at approximately 450 million euros. This strategic move marks a significant shift for both companies as they pursue their respective growth and operational objectives.
“My heartfelt thanks go to all AirPlus employees. With their dedication, passion and hard work, they have transformed AirPlus from a former Lufthansa project into a leading provider of B2B payment services that is now trusted by over 55,000 customers worldwide. I am delighted that we have found a strong new owner from the financial sector in SEB Kort, with whom AirPlus will write the next chapter of success and continue to drive forward the digital transformation in the payment sector,” says Michael Niggemann, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
The Lufthansa Group is sharpening its focus on core business operations by selling its payment expert division. This move follows last year’s divestiture of its catering business and the recently conditionally approved investment in ITA Airways. “The closing of the sale of AirPlus is further proof that we are consistently implementing our strategy,” stated Niggemann.
Post-sale, AirPlus will continue to be part of the global payment network, Universal Air Travel Plan, Inc. (UATP).
