John Mangelaars brings over three decades of global leadership experience in technology and travel to his role as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO at Travelport. His career spans transformational roles at major technology and travel companies, consistently delivering operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Most recently, John was the CEO at Skyscanner, a global travel marketplace focused on META search, where he led the company through Covid to a strong recovery into the genAI era. Under his leadership, Skyscanner became the largest global metasearch platform by share of web traffic, surpassing Google Flights, while connecting over 160 million users across 180 countries to more than 1,200 travel partners.
Prior to Skyscanner, John spent eight years as CEO of Travix International, a global online travel agency operating across 60+ countries. He transformed the company expanding their global reach, growing flight bookings from 1.4 million to 3.7 million annually. His strategic leadership culminated in Travix's successful acquisition by Trip.com Group in 2019.
John's technology foundation was built during his 18-year career at Microsoft Corporation, where he held progressively senior roles, ultimately serving as Vice President for Europe in the Advertising & Online division.
A Dutch national with a degree in Business Informatics from the University of Applied Sciences in The Hague, John now lives in London with his wife, Katy. He also has two grown children, and the family maintains a home in the Netherlands. In his free time, John enjoys walking his Weimaraner, working out, exploring great food spots, and traveling with his family.
I like many locations. It is very much dependent on the occasion or setting but if have to pick one, I’d pick Africa.
John Mangelaars
What’s your favourite travel destination in the world?
I like many locations. It is very much dependent on the occasion or setting but if have to pick one, I’d pick Africa.
Beach or mountains?
Used to be beach but now more and more hiking in the mountains.
Sunrise coffee or sunset cocktail?
Sunrise coffee, my day doesn’t start without coffee.
Fancy restaurant meal or home cooked comfort food?
Home cooked comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere.
Early adopter or gadget-challenged?
Early observer…. I am not an early adopter myself but am always checking out what people are using, especially on my travels.
If I wasn’t part of Travelport’s SLT, I’d be…
Exploring remote areas that take more time than I have now.