What Bland Group does

Bland Group is a privately held UK-incorporated diversified holding company with operational roots in shipping, aviation, and travel dating back to the 1800s. Headquartered with a registered address in Wareham, Dorset, and operational bases across the United Kingdom (Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Gatwick, London City) and Western Mediterranean (Gibraltar, Spain, Morocco), the group operates through approximately 15 wholly-owned subsidiaries. Core operating businesses include Hovertravel, the world's only year-round scheduled passenger hovercraft service running between Ryde and Southsea at speeds up to 30 knots; Griffon Marine, a hovercraft manufacturer supplying amphibious craft to military and coast guard customers including the Royal Marines; Skybreak and SkyFix, airport representation and ground handling firms serving carriers such as Turkish Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Eurowings at Gatwick; Teleticket, an ATOL-bonded flight consolidator supplying the UK travel trade; and OSG, a Gibraltar-based security services provider. Western Mediterranean holdings span The Rock Hotel, Calpe Lounge, Gibair, Blands Travel, Travel Link, and Viajes Med, alongside technology subsidiaries Hexiosec and BG Tec.

The group earns revenue through a hybrid mix of consumer ticket sales (hovercraft fares from £7.50 to £229+ for Scotland flight packages), cargo and parcel services (Hoverparcels), corporate charter income, hotel and lounge accommodation, professional services fees for airport representation and security, and hardware sales from hovercraft manufacturing. Distribution spans direct-to-consumer channels (websites, mobile apps, terminal sales), travel trade agent networks, and direct enterprise sales to airlines, NHS, and government clients. Customer engagement is supported by an in-house software engineering team, custom booking platforms, and a portfolio of branded service products including HoverCare (accessibility), HoverBus, Hoverparcels, HoverShopper, HoverRewards, and Island Rescue (24/7 patient transport). The group holds GDPR compliance certifications, ATOL bonding, and CAA licensing, and is recognized on the UK Government's Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list.

Name

Bland Group

Legal name

Bland Group UK Holdings Limited

Website

https://blandgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1800

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Bland Group is a privately held UK diversified holding company operating across hovercraft manufacturing, passenger transport, airport representation, travel distribution, hospitality, and security, serving consumers, airlines, NHS, and government clients in the UK and Western Mediterranean.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Passenger Transportation and Aviation Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)

akta.pro primary industry

Group Leisure Retail Travel Agencies (THAKABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Island, Beach & Resort Travel Agencies (THAKAFAL)

Keywords

• Passenger hovercraft services
• Airport representation services
• Hovercraft manufacturing
• Travel trade distribution
• Maritime security services

Headquarters

HQ city

Southampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Passenger Transport Services: Ticket sales from hovercraft passenger services (Hovertravel), scheduled flights, and charter services across multiple routes including Solent crossings, airport representation, and specialty travel experiences
2. Freight Services: Cargo and parcel transport across the Solent including Hoverparcels service for businesses and individual customers
3. Airport Representation Services: Skybreak provides customer service, travel recovery, and representation services at Gatwick Airport to airlines including Turkish Airlines, handling passenger assistance and missed flight situations
4. Hotel and Lounge Services: The Rock Hotel accommodation and Calpe Lounge services in Gibraltar
5. Security Services: Cash in transit, guarding, and event security services through OSG in Gibraltar including security for His Excellency the Governor's residence
6. Travel Trade Distribution: Teleticket provides flight distribution to travel agents with transparent pricing - no added extras, check-in charges, or luggage charges. Fully ATOL bonded and licensed with CAA
7. Marine and Hovercraft Manufacturing: Griffon Marine designs and engineers hovercraft to client specifications including amphibious assault development and icebreaking applications

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bland Group is a privately-held diversified holding company operating across the UK and Western Mediterranean through 15 wholly-owned subsidiaries spanning passenger hovercraft transport (Hovertravel), hovercraft manufacturing (Griffon Marine), airport representation services (Skybreak, SkyFix), flight consolidation for travel agents (Teleticket), travel agencies (Blands Travel, Travel Link, Viajes Med), hospitality (The Rock Hotel, Calpe Lounge), security services (OSG), and technology/cybersecurity services (Hexiosec, BG Tec).

Product overview

Bland Group is a diversified holding company operating across shipping, aviation, and travel industries with two primary regional portfolios. The group operates as a collection of subsidiaries rather than a unified platform architecture. In the United Kingdom, key operating companies include Hovertravel (world's only year-round passenger hovercraft service), Skybreak (airport representation at Gatwick), Griffon Marine (hovercraft manufacturing), and Teleticket (flight consolidator). In the Western Mediterranean/Gibraltar region, operations include Blands Travel, Travel Link, The Rock Hotel, Calpe Lounge, Gibair, OSG security services, and Viajes Med. The group has also developed specific service products under the Hovertravel brand including HoverCare (accessibility services), HoverBus (bus connections), HoverParcels (freight), HoverShopper (shopping fares), and Island Rescue (medical transport). BG Tec provides technology services across the group. Founded on 200+ years of maritime heritage, the group emphasizes innovation in transport technology and accessibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Griffon Marine: World leader in hovercraft manufacturing, supplying to military and civilian customers globally including Royal Marines and Canadian Coast Guard
• Hovertravel
• HoverCare
• Skybreak
• SkyFix
• Teleticket
• Travel Link
• Blands Travel
• The Rock Hotel
• OSG

Products and services

• Hovertravel The world's only year-round scheduled passenger hovercraft service, operating 70+ daily crossings between Ryde (Isle of Wight) and Southsea (Portsmouth) at speeds up to 30 knots, serving commuters, leisure travelers, and NHS patient transport.
• Skybreak Specialist airport representation company providing passenger assistance, missed flight recovery, and representation services at Gatwick Airport for airlines including Turkish Airlines and Bamboo Airways.
• Teleticket Agent-friendly flight consolidator supplying flights to UK travel trade agents with transparent pricing, no check-in charges, no luggage charges, fully ATOL bonded and CAA licensed.
• Griffon Marine World-leading hovercraft manufacturer designing and engineering custom amphibious hovercraft to client specifications, including for the Royal Marines and Canadian Coast Guard, with applications in icebreaking and military assault.
• OSG (Operational Services Group) Security services company in Gibraltar providing cash in transit, physical security (including for His Excellency the Governor's residence), and event security services.
• Blands Travel Travel agency operating in the Western Mediterranean region including Gibraltar.
• Travel Link Destination management company and travel services provider in Morocco offering local destination knowledge and off-the-beaten-track itineraries.
• The Rock Hotel Hotel accommodation in Gibraltar.
• Calpe Lounge Airport lounge services at Gibraltar.
• Gibair Aviation services company in Gibraltar.
• Viajes Med Travel company operating in the Western Mediterranean region, including Spain.
• SkyFix Airport services company providing ground handling and passenger assistance services at Gatwick Airport in partnership with Menzies Aviation.
• The Beehive Business center and co-working space in the United Kingdom.
• Hexiosec Cybersecurity services company within the Bland Group portfolio.
• BG Tec Technology services company within Bland Group.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70+ crossings per day across the Solent
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bamboo AirwaysminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 November 2022New client for Skybreak airport representation services at Gatwick Airport for new Gatwick flights
• Chestnut Tree House Children's HospicecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 December 2019Long-term charity partnership with multiple initiatives including donations (£2,358), behind-the-scenes airport visits, and Isle of Wight Zoo trips for children in care. Partnership spanning several years.
• Assafou AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2010Travel Link (Bland Group subsidiary) founded and co-develops 14 educational centres in Atlas Mountains of Morocco with Assafou Association established in 2011
• Menzies AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong and established partnership between SkyFix and Menzies Aviation at Gatwick Airport for ground handling and airport services
• Gatwick AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGatwickConnects service powered by Skybreak expertise; Your Service Centre partnership; Gatwick Airport's nominated charity relationship with Chestnut Tree House
• British Moroccan SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration with Travel Link for educational centre at Talataste village
• Saga HolidaysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Travel Link for charitable centre at Agounsane village
• NHScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIsland Rescue 24/7 patient transport service across Solent for medical emergencies; NHS staff discounted fares; partnership celebrated as significant community contribution
• Fire Fighters CharitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term supporters organizing Solent Santa Dash and ongoing support for UK fire and rescue services community and dependants
• Enterprise Car ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTwo vehicles at Hovertravel Ryde terminal providing car club services for arriving passengers
• Seaview ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGuided coach tours of Isle of Wight partnered with Hovertravel for complete travel packages
• Go TaximinorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to offer easy e-taxi booking for Hovertravel customers upon arrival
• Go DeliveryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustainable delivery partnership for greener deliveries across the Solent
• Turkish AirlinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSkybreak partnership for airport representation services at Gatwick Airport
• Gunwharf QuaysminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHoverShopper fare partnership offering 10% discount at many brands at designer shopping outlet for hovercraft passengers
• Hampshire Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHovercraft themed events for chamber members; corporate awayday promotions
• Stagecoach SouthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHoverBus service connecting hovercraft terminals with onward bus travel; new Hoverbus design celebrating Portsmouth skyline

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Textron Systems: Textron Systems is a US defense contractor producing amphibious and specialized marine craft. It is a broader incumbent in the defense hovercraft/amphibious manufacturing space alongside Griffon Marine, supplying military customers globally.
• Loveholidays: Loveholidays is a UK-based package holiday and flight consolidator serving travel agents and consumers. It is a broader incumbent in the same ATOL-bonded flight distribution and travel trade space as Teleticket.
• Swissport: Swissport is one of the world's largest airport ground services and cargo handling companies, providing passenger and ramp services globally. It is a broader incumbent competitor to Skybreak/SkyFix in the airport representation and ground handling market.
• dnata: dnata is a major global air services provider offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering. It competes in the airport services space with Skybreak's representation business and operates at scale across many of the same airline customers.
• Menzies Aviation: Menzies Aviation is a global aviation services provider offering ground handling, cargo, and airport representation. It is both a Skybreak/SkyFix partner and a broader competitor in the airport services space at Gatwick and other airports.

Regional players

• Stagecoach Group: Stagecoach operates regional bus and coach services in the UK, including the Hoverbus connection partnered with Hovertravel at Solent terminals. It is a complementary regional transport operator that integrates with Bland Group's passenger network.

Direct peers

• Wightlink: Wightlink operates ferry services across the Solent between the UK mainland and the Isle of Wight, directly competing with Hovertravel for the same passenger crossing demand on parallel routes (Portsmouth-Fishbourne, Lymington-Yarmouth).
• Red Funnel: Red Funnel is the other major Solent ferry operator, running vehicle and passenger services between Southampton and East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. It competes head-to-head with Hovertravel for tourist and commuter traffic on the same Solent corridor.
• Travel Republic: Travel Republic is a UK online travel agency that distributes flights and holidays, including through flight consolidators like Teleticket, with whom Bland Group has a 12-year partnership. It is also a comparable travel trade business model in the same market segment.
• Wexas: Wexas is a UK-based specialist travel agency focusing on tailor-made international holidays, comparable to Travel Link's destination management and bespoke travel services in Morocco and Blands Travel in Gibraltar.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BlandGroup

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bland Group