Global Blue Receives $225M Growth Investment from Certares and Knighthead

Certares and Knighthead Invest €300 Million in Avia Solutions Group

December 16, 2021

Aerospace & Defense

Avia Solutions Group has entered a strategic partnership with Certares Management LLC, with additional investment from Knighthead Capital Management, providing a €300 million investment. The capital will be used for strategic acquisitions, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, and Certares will join the group's Board to support global expansion and capability growth.

Shift4 Completes Acquisition of Global Blue

July 3, 2025

Payments & Fintech

Shift4 Payments completed a tender offer through its subsidiary GT Holding 1 GmbH to acquire Global Blue Group Holding AG for $7.50 per share, receiving valid tenders representing approximately 97.37% of outstanding shares. Shift4 will integrate Global Blue's tax-free shopping, dynamic currency conversion and payments technology into its commerce platform to expand capabilities and global merchant reach; Ant International and Tencent will become strategic partners in the combined ecosystem.

Certares Makes Growth Investment in G Adventures

February 9, 2021

Restaurants & Hospitality

Certares has completed a growth-capital investment in small-group adventure tour operator G Adventures. Founder Bruce Poon Tip remains the controlling shareholder; the capital will be used to accelerate M&A activity, upgrade shared services platforms, and support company growth following the pandemic.

Delta, Certares and Knighthead Provide $500M Recapitalization Facility to Wheels Up

August 15, 2023

Transportation

Delta Air Lines, Certares Management LLC and Knighthead Capital Management LLC (via CK Opportunities) agreed to provide a $500 million facility — $400 million term loan plus a $100 million liquidity facility from Delta — to Wheels Up to support the company’s business transformation. As part of the recapitalization, Wheels Up will issue Class A common stock to participating lenders (who are expected to own ~95% post-transaction) to stabilize operations and accelerate the company’s path to profitability.

Shift4 Payments Acquires Global Blue

July 3, 2025

Payments & Fintech

Shift4 Payments completed a tender offer and subsequent squeeze-out merger to acquire Global Blue Group Holding AG, taking the company private for $7.50 per share. The acquisition adds Global Blue's tax-refund, dynamic currency conversion and payments technology to Shift4's commerce platform, expanding Shift4's capabilities and global reach in retail, travel and hospitality.

Certares Makes Strategic Growth Investment in Avoya Travel

November 22, 2021

Restaurants & Hospitality

Funds managed by Certares Management LLC have closed a strategic growth investment in Avoya Travel, joining Jeff and Michael Anderson as co-owners. The minority investment (terms undisclosed) will support Avoya's technology and platform growth while Brad Anderson moves to an advisory role and Van Anderson retires.