Qantas rolls out Amadeus next-generation technology to enhance aircraft loading process on popular Asia Pacific routes

Bangkok, Thailand (Asia Pacific), 13 February 2008: Australia's national carrier Qantas has implemented the Amadeus Altéa Departure Control-Flight Management system, a next-generation load control system, for its Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo operations. The new phase follows the successful launch of the industry-first system at Qantas' Sydney and Melbourne load control centres in June of last year.

The Altéa Departure Control–Flight Management system, part of Amadeus Altéa Customer Management Solutions (CMS), ensures greater streamlined distribution of baggage and cargo. Its smart design is also able to ensure that the aircraft’s loading process optimises fuel efficiency of the aircraft. The system also allows Qantas to load cargo in line with the entire industry’s safety requirements. The new system now handles all of Qantas International, Domestic and Regional operations.

Qantas Chief Information Officer, Jamila Gordon, said that “Qantas has recorded 100,000 flight departures since the Departure Control-Flight technology was implemented in Sydney and Melbourne in June of last year. The system's intuitive graphical load control interface makes it easier for load controllers to use. A feature of the new system is the Autoload function that ensures items to be loaded onto the aircraft are automatically designated to positions to optimize fuel efficiency and streamline loading and unloading.”

Damian Hickey, Vice President Amadeus Airline Business Group Asia Pacific, said Amadeus was very happy to see Qantas demonstrating such confidence in its solution.

“Amadeus has a long-standing relationship with Qantas, an airline partner that recognises the importance of technology in today's competitive environment. To fully realise their potential in this region, Qantas has taken the next step in implementing the latest in technology. Amadeus Departure Control-Flight Management has proven very successful in Sydney and Melbourne and we anticipate the same benefits will be seen across the Asia Pacific region,” said Hickey.

For the future, the deployment of Altéa Departure Control-Flight Management is also planned for a significant and growing number of airlines. Altéa Departure Control-Flight Management is one half of the new generation Amadeus Altéa Departure Control Solution. The second component, Altéa Departure Control– Customer Management, is a new check-in, boarding and baggage management solution that is expected to be introduced by Qantas later this year.

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Notes to editors

About Amadeus

A world-leading technology and distribution solutions provider, Amadeus delivers unparalleled expertise to the travel and tourism industry, including leading-edge solutions that cover airlines’ unique business needs, independent of their size, business model or market reach.

Amadeus’ pioneering new-generation Customer Management Solution (CMS) portfolio, Amadeus Altéa CMS, serves network and regional carriers. The Altéa portfolio, based on a pioneering community platform concept, enables improved operational efficiency and increases revenue. The portfolio consists of the Altéa Reservation, Altéa Inventory and Altéa Departure Control solutions.

Low cost carriers also have a specific CMS for LCCs - based on adaptive technology and already used by carriers in Europe and the USA, that provides robust options that easily adjust to their evolving operational requirements.

Further complementing these integrated IT solutions is the Amadeus e-Travel Airline Suite. Over 70 of the world’s leading airlines use the Amadeus e-Travel Airline Suite to power over 250 websites in more than 80 markets.

Other standalone IT solutions include: Amadeus Revenue Integrity solution, Amadeus Ticket Changer, an automatic ticket reissue tool, and a full range of ticketing solutions; including e-ticket interlining and ground-handling management technology services.

More information about Amadeus’ solutions for airlines is available at: www.amadeus.com/airlines.

About Qantas

Qantas is the world's second oldest airline. It was founded in the Queensland outback in 1920 and is Australia’s largest domestic and international airline. Qantas is recognised as one of the world's leading long distance airlines, having pioneered services from Australia to North America and Europe. The Qantas Group employs approximately 31,000 staff across a network that serves 140 destinations in 38 countries – 55 in Australia and 85 in other countries (including codeshare services) in Australia, Asia and the Pacific, the Americas, Europe and Africa.

Contact details

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Kristy Weller

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Qantas Corporate Communication

Melissa Thomson

Tel: +61 7 3238 2720 / +61 4 07 281 832