Virgin Blue and V Australia choose Amadeus

• V Australia, Virgin Blue’s new long-haul international airline to be launched in late 2008, will use Amadeus’ customer management and e-commerce solutions to support operations

• Virgin Blue to build interline capability across its flagship short haul network

Brisbane, Australia, 17 December 2007:

Virgin Blue and Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, today announced a technology partnership which will see Amadeus equip the airline with leading-edge technology solutions to support its continued growth.

As the multi-award winning airline further establishes itself as a “New World Carrier”, combining low prices with an enhanced range of competitive services for its Guests, it has worked with Amadeus to implement a new distribution, e-ticketing and interline solution to enhance the competitiveness of its short haul operation. Furthermore, Virgin Blue’s new long haul subsidiary, V Australia, will use Amadeus for its complete customer management and online needs, including reservations, online booking, inventory control and airport departure control.

Amadeus has provided Virgin Blue’s short haul operations (Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue) with a distribution and interlining hub, to expand booking reach as it increases its route network throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific region. The solution will allow Virgin Blue’s short haul operations to benefit from wider distribution to Global Distribution Systems and other airlines which are not typically available to low cost carriers. This is part of the carrier’s strategy to diversify its distribution channels and grow interline traffic, as it expands its short-haul fleet. By enabling interline e-ticket processing, Virgin Blue will be able to receive interline passengers from full service ticketed carriers such as Etihad and sister airline, Virgin Atlantic.

In addition, Virgin Blue’s new long haul subsidiary, V Australia, will use the complete Amadeus Altéa customer management solution, to manage its sales and reservations, inventory and departure control operations. The airline will also use Amadeus e-Retail and e-Merchandise solutions to drive online sales and deliver a compelling online experience. It is expected V Australia will receive approval from the United States and the Australian Governments to commence flights between the east coast of Australia and the west cost of the USA within 2008.

Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said: “In our seventh year, our business is growing rapidly as we adapt our original business model under our New World Carrier strategy and at the same time prepare to launch our fourth airline V Australia. It’s essential that we have technology systems that support our rate of expansion and a responsive technology partner who can keep pace with our requirements. Amadeus has proved to be agile and flexible in providing solutions and functionality and we are confident of a successful working partnership. ”

Frederic Spagnou, Vice President, Airline Business Group at Amadeus, said: “Virgin Blue is widely acknowledged as one of the most innovative and successful carriers in the world. The airline has recognised the need for a strong distribution capability to help drive the continued growth of its short haul business, and, by adding interlining and enhanced GDS distribution capabilities, it will be able to further increase revenues.

The launch of V Australia is consistent with Virgin Blue’s pioneering approach and we are delighted to be supporting this exciting venture by providing proven technology to ensure that the customer experience both on and off line encourages continued loyalty.”

In the past year, Virgin Blue has increased passenger numbers to more than 15 million and recorded over AUS$2billion in turnover, this figure is expected to grow as new aircraft continue to be added to the fleet.

Notes to the editor

About Amadeus

Amadeus is the chosen technology partner for providers, sellers, and buyers of travel. The company provides distribution, IT and point-of-sale solutions to help its customers adapt, grow and succeed in the fast changing travel industry. Customer groups include travel providers (airlines, hotels, car rental companies, railway companies, ferry lines, cruise lines, insurance companies and tour operators), travel sellers (travel agencies) and travel buyers (corporations and travellers). Solutions are grouped in four solution categories – Distribution & Content, Sales & e-Commerce, Business Management and Services & Consulting.

The company is owned by WAM Acquisition, whose shareholders are BC Partners, Cinven, Air France, Iberia and Lufthansa. Amadeus employs nearly 7,600 employees worldwide, representing 95 nationalities.
More information about Amadeus is available at: www.au.amadeus.com

About Virgin Blue

Multi-award winning airline Virgin Blue and international carriers Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue currently operate a fleet of 60 modern Boeing 737 and Embraer E-Jet aircraft flying to 22 Australian and eight international destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.

Virgin Blue was the first airline in the world to launch a Government-certified carbon offset program, where Guests can offset the carbon emissions from their flights. Virgin Blue Group has also announced plans to launch Australia's newest international airline, V Australia, set to commence flights between Australia and the USA from late 2008, subject to regulatory approvals.