Amadeus and Airport Transport Service sign global partnership for innovative limousine bus ticket booking solution

New partnership will enable 100,000+ travel agents worldwide to offer pre-booked tickets on limousine bus services between Narita Airport and the Tokyo metropolitan area

Partnership embraces “Visit Japan Campaign” by delivering better travel experience for foreign tourists

Demonstrates how Amadeus technology can add value to the travel experience

Bangkok, Thailand, March 25, 2009: Amadeus, a leading global technology and distribution partner to the travel and tourism industry, and Airport Transport Service Co., Ltd. (Airport Limousine), the leading provider of airport shuttle service between Narita Airport and the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, have signed a global technology and distribution partnership for a limousine bus ticket booking solution.

As a result of the partnership, more than 100,000 travel agencies worldwide will be able to offer customers the option of pre-booking Airport Transport Service tickets between Narita Airport and the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, at the point when they make flight and accommodation bookings on the Amadeus GDS.

David Brett, President of Amadeus Asia Pacific said, “This partnership with Airport Transport Service is a significant milestone. It demonstrates the strength of our global reach and our ability to help travel operators to increase revenues and build their brand. We are thrilled to be selected as the exclusive technology partner to offer travellers the opportunity to book Airport Transport Service tickets in Japan. We look forward to developing a long term partnership with Airport Transport Service as they grow their business in the future,” said Brett.

Amadeus sources revealed that between 40 to 80% of inbound travellers are unaware of transport choices to reach Central Tokyo until they arrive at Narita Airport. With this new Amadeus partnership, Airport Transport Service will have access to more than 100,000 new sales channels worldwide.

Travel agencies are also able to enhance their relationship with their Tokyo-bound customers by offering convenient bus tickets to transport them from Narita Airport to a wide variety of destinations in downtown Toyko, booked and paid for before they even leave home. This saves travellers the trouble of last-minute enquiries or queueing for tickets.

“Airport Limousine operates the most frequent shuttle service from Narita Airport to major hotels in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, offering visitors a direct, hassle-free ride to their destination,” said Mitsuo Suzuki, President, Airport Transport Service Co., Ltd. “This new partnership with Amadeus means that we will be able to expand our business by significantly increasing global points-of-sale for Airport Limousine tickets. We look forward to working with Amadeus as we continue to grow our business in Japan.”

Miho Ohtake, Representative Director of Amadeus Japan K.K, said, “Amadeus’ innovative technologies will help Airport Transport Service to increase sales in key markets such as Europe. This is proof of Amadeus’ commitment to deliver a ‘think global, act local’ approach for our partners.”

“Our partnership with Airport Limousine embraces the vision of the ‘Visit Japan’ campaign. We are delighted to help Japanese travel companies expand their business globally and contribute to growth of the Japanese travel industry, said Ohtake.”

Albert Villadolid, General Manager of Amadeus Phils. said, "With Philippines as one of the top ten countries with the highest inbound and outbound traffic to and from Narita, Japan, this global partnership between Amadeus and the Airport Transport Service is a very welcome agreement. Our travel agency subscribers should benefit from this partnership, and this new bookable content, that is soon to be made available via Amadeus, should further strengthen our position as the leading global distribution and travel IT solutions provider in the country. "

More information on Amadeus technology solutions is available at www.ph.amadeus.com.