The proposals cover both dnata’s B2B and B2C brands within its group and include the proposed merger of Gold Medal and Travel 2.

All dnata Travel Group staff were briefed today (18 June) on the proposals via a series of video conference calls and other communications. Consultation discussions will last 45 days, following the election of staff spokespeople.

Dnata said staff has been advised that, if accepted, the changes will see “an overall headcount reduction” across its organisation.

dnata Travel Group chief executive, John Bevan, said: “The need for us to improve the efficiency of our organisation, create and build on synergies, simplify processes and reduce duplications has been evident to us for some time, and was the subject of a review we started late last year.

“However, we now find ourselves faced with an unprecedented set of circumstances that have forced us to accelerate the implementation of that review’s conclusions, and actually go even further. It’s now critical we right size our organisation and make ourselves stronger and more focused in the delivery of exceptional travel products and services to consumers and trade partners alike as our industry rebuilds.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for our people and they’ve risen to the challenge magnificently. They remain our primary focus and during the formal consultation that we launched today, we will be listening hard to their feedback to these proposals, providing them every opportunity we can to speak up, and giving them whatever support is necessary.”

Suppliers, travel agent partners and consortia members of dnata Travel Group, including those belonging to The Global Travel Group, were notified of the proposed changes today.

Bevan continued: “We will continue to proactively engage with our valued agent partners, suppliers and consortia members to inform them of our plans, and how we expect to work with them in the future.

“I want to thank all those parties in advance for their support during this process, as well as their continued professionalism as we work to fulfil our obligations to customers whose travel plans have been disrupted by the pandemic, or who are keen to discuss future holidays with us.”