Travelport CEO Gordon Wilson remained mum on Thursday about
Elliott Associates' investment in Travelport.
Hedge fund Elliott Associates took a nearly 12% stake in
Travelport
in March, and Travelport's filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
indicated major changes -- including a sale -- could be afoot. Analysts
speculated that Elliott's move came because Travelport was undervalued.
Before taking analysts'
questions on Thursday's call, Wilson said, "If you have any questions about
Elliott's investments or the recent press speculation, as we've said before, we
have regular, constructive and open dialogue with our shareholders, including
Elliott, about a range of issues. We therefore have nothing further to add at
this time, and I would ask that you respect that during the Q&A."
Travelport reported a revenue increase of 8% to $662 million
in the second quarter. Its Travel Commerce Platform revenue was up 9%, air
revenue was up 5% and nonair revenue was up 21%, spearheaded by a good quarter
from eNett, Travelport's payments business.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization increased 7% in the quarter to $157 million.
Net income decreased 80% from $27 million to $7 million.
Travelport attributed that primarily to "unfavorable movements on foreign
currency derivative contracts."
Wilson also addressed something that could have a negative
impact this year. Travelport said it discovered that a Greek OTA was in breach
of their contract, which Travelport then terminated.
While he declined to discuss details, he said Travelport
will not benefit from the level of air the OTA had been booking before the
contract was terminated. However, he said that the OTA has since ceased selling
air tickets and is now operating as a metasearch site, so some of Travelport's other
clients could pick up some of that demand.
CFO Bernard Bot estimated the terminated contract will
result in a 1- to 2-point loss on revenue through the remainder of the year,
depending on how much volume is distributed to other OTAs Travelport powers.