• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings is taking a majority ownership stake in White Desert, the luxury Antarctic company, and Echo Charlie, a new aviation travel brand providing specialized access to unique destinations worldwide.
Lindblad is paying approximately $61m in a cash purchase for a 60% stake in both, plus approximately $6m for cash on the balance sheet and subject to adjustments for working capital, cash and debt.
Established in 2005 by polar explorer Patrick Woodhead, White Desert flies clients into Antarctica's remote interior, blending logistical precision with high comfort. Billed as the ultimate bucket-list adventure, itineraries include a journey to the geographic South Pole and a visit to an emperor penguin colony of more than 20,000 birds.
"While this is the largest transaction in the history of the company, it is much more than a business deal. It is a powerful partnership between two businesses that have spent decades pushing the boundaries of what experiential travel can be," Lindblad CEO Natalya Leahy said.
Leveraging their shared expertise, Lindblad Expeditions and White Desert see significant opportunities to expand White Desert's offering by developing camps and guest experiences and bolstering their logistical capabilities.
"Having spent the last 20 years pioneering tourism in the interior, we are privileged to join forces with people who did exactly the same thing, only 40 years earlier on the coastline of Antarctica," White Desert founder/Chairman Patrick Woodhead said. "With a shared ethos for small-scale, responsible travel, we are thrilled for what lies ahead."
Lindblad will also support the development and growth of the new Echo Charlie. Inspired by the golden age of aviation aboard a fully restored DC-3, an aircraft that can land on remote airstrips without needing commercial airports.
"Taking our aviation expertise beyond Antarctica, Echo Charlie's collection of itineraries explores the far reaches of the globe, from Colombia to Patagonia, the Faroe Islands to Greenland. This is genuine adventure, made safe and accessible. The only question is where we go next," Woodhead said.
"Echo Charlie delivers on what most of us only read about in childhood stories — flying to hidden places, uncovering the secrets of ancient cultures and experiencing the breathtakingly diverse landscapes," Leahy said. "By combining Patrick's aviation expertise with our global platform and deep shared spirit of innovation, we are about to enter a new chapter entirely —more awe-inspiring experiences to more guests in more places on this planet."
Woodhead will serve as chairman of White Desert and CEO of Echo Charlie, while also joining Lindblad Expeditions as strategic innovation advisor. The new companies will continue to operate as stand-alones, preserving their founder-led vision and distinctive culture, while benefiting from the reach, capabilities and resources of Lindblad Expeditions.
With the acquisition and continued strong performance across the business, Lindblad Expeditions raised its full-year 2026 revenue, net yield and adjusted EBITDA guidance.
The company now forecasts total tour revenues of $850m to $880m, net yield per available guest night of 5.5% to 6.5% and adjusted EBITDA of $140m to $148m.
