Amadeus to launch Virtual MCO solution for Travel Agents
Virtual MCO to support travel agents through transition to full e-ticketing on June 1st 2008
Bangkok, Thailand (Asia Pacific), 30 May, 2008: Amadeus, a leading global technology and distribution partner to the travel industry, today announced the launch of Amadeus Virtual Miscellaneous Charge Order (Amadeus Virtual MCO), a transitional solution supported by IATA (International Air Transport Association) replacing current paper Automated MCO. With the IATA 100% e-ticketing deadline being the end of May 2008, some airlines may not be able to provide travel agents with e-tickets for all bookings. The Amadeus Virtual MCO has been developed to enable agents to issue a MCO in exchange for travel-related services, and a new functionality has been added to allow receipts to be sent directly through email to the customer. The Amadeus Virtual MCO, which is based on the current Amadeus Automated MCO product, can be used for infant tickets, unaccompanied minors and excess baggage as well as standard tickets. The Amadeus Virtual MCO will be rolled out in all interested markets at the beginning of June. Damian Hickey, Vice President of Airline Business Group for Amadeus Asia Pacific, said, “We are very pleased that with minimal training, travel agents will be able to continue to provide all transactions without interruption, despite the implementation of IATA’s 100 percent e-ticketing deadline. The Amadeus Virtual MCO will be fully integrated into the whole Amadeus booking process (from PNR until reporting) enabling all the information to be seamlessly transferred to the agency back office system.” “Amadeus sees the Virtual MCO as a crucial solution for travel agents as we fast approach the May 31st deadline, especially as IATA has instructed each airline to communicate their procedure to agents for any document which is not e-ticket eligible.” Louis Lee, General Manager Amadeus Hong Kong added, “Amadeus, as the leading technology partner for the travel industry, strives to consistently introduce solutions which will bring incremental business benefits for all trade partners. The introduction of Amadeus VMCO will help both airlines and travel agencies to go through a seamless transition to the Electronic Ticketing era. It is a fully integrated solution within the whole booking and reporting process.” IATA began the move towards 100 percent e-ticketing in June 2004 with the aim of making travel more convenient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. According to IATA, a paper ticket costs US$10 to process compared with US$1 for an e-ticket. IATA says using e-tickets will save the industry more than US$3 billion a year. A preferred IATA partner, Amadeus provides airlines with solutions from its leading ticketing portfolio designed to help carriers comply with the Simplifying the Business e-ticketing initiative. Amadeus, as the world leader in e-ticket distribution and technology, has to date enabled e-ticketing for 268 airlines across 154 markets, far ahead of the nearest competitor.
