Schindler’s New Travel Strategy Unveiled
On May 5, 2026, Schindler announced that it has selected Navan, the AI‑driven business travel and expense platform, to overhaul its worldwide travel program. The decision, made in Palo Alto, California, signals a move away from a fragmented online booking system toward a single, streamlined solution that promises to simplify travel for employees across the globe. Navan’s platform, listed on NASDAQ under the ticker NAVN, is designed to make travel easy for travelers by leveraging artificial intelligence to manage bookings, expenses, and compliance in one place.
Schindler’s Legacy and the Need for Change
With a history spanning more than 150 years, Schindler has grown from a local manufacturer into a global leader in sustainable and smart urban mobility. The company’s portfolio now includes elevators, escalators, and moving walkways that shape modern cities. As Schindler expands its footprint, the complexity of managing travel for a worldwide workforce has increased. Previously, employees relied on a patchwork of online booking tools that varied by region and vendor. This fragmentation created inefficiencies, inconsistent policies, and a lack of visibility for the company’s travel spend.
Navan’s AI‑Powered Platform
Navan offers a single, AI‑powered interface that handles every step of the travel experience. From searching for flights and hotels to submitting expense reports, the platform automates routine tasks and enforces corporate policies automatically. By centralising travel data, Navan provides real‑time visibility into bookings, spend, and compliance. The platform’s global reach ensures that employees can book travel in any country while staying within the company’s guidelines. Navan’s focus on user experience means that travelers can complete their bookings in a matter of clicks, reducing the time and effort typically required.
Why Schindler Picked Navan
Schindler’s decision to move away from a fragmented booking model was driven by the need to support its next phase of growth. Consolidating travel operations under one platform aligns the company’s travel program with its broader strategy of sustainability and efficiency. Navan’s AI capabilities allow Schindler to enforce travel policies automatically, reducing the risk of policy violations and ensuring that every booking aligns with corporate goals. The platform’s ability to integrate with existing systems also means that Schindler can maintain its data integrity while gaining a clearer picture of travel spend.
Impact on Employees
For Schindler’s workforce, the transition to Navan means a smoother booking process. Employees no longer need to navigate multiple portals or reconcile different booking rules. The platform’s intuitive interface guides travelers through each step, from selecting flights to managing itineraries, and automatically captures all necessary expense data. This reduces the administrative burden on employees, freeing them to focus on their core responsibilities. Additionally, the real‑time visibility into travel spend gives employees a clearer understanding of how their travel decisions affect the company’s budget.
Benefits for Schindler’s Business
From a corporate perspective, the move to Navan supports Schindler’s focus on its core mobility solutions. By centralising travel management, the company can allocate more resources to research and development of elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. The platform’s policy enforcement capabilities also help Schindler maintain compliance with regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions. As the company continues to expand, having a reliable, scalable travel solution will be essential for managing the logistics of a global workforce.
Forward‑Looking Statements
All statements in this announcement, aside from historical facts, are forward‑looking and subject to the risks and uncertainties described in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect Schindler’s expectations and do not constitute guarantees of future performance.
Looking Ahead
The partnership between Schindler and Navan illustrates a broader trend among global companies to adopt AI‑driven solutions for travel and expense management. As businesses grow and travel becomes more complex, the need for a unified platform that balances compliance, cost control, and user experience becomes increasingly important. By choosing Navan, Schindler positions itself to manage travel more efficiently, support its workforce, and maintain its leadership in sustainable urban mobility.
