Air Canada signs contract extension with Amadeus to underpin its e-Commerce strategy
Amadeus and Air Canada, the flag carrier and largest airline in Canada, today announce a contract extension that will see the airline continue to use Amadeus technology to power its consumer and agency websites. Under the terms of the new contract extension, Air Canada will continue to benefit from Amadeus' advanced technology to power its websites and the faring behind its global call-centre and airport operations. With a strong presence across 15 countries, Air Canada has one of the world's most innovative online strategies that include flexible travel date searches, 'a la carte' ancillary services, third party ancillary products, such as insurance, and online services including re-booking and upgrades.
Contract extension follows a successful partnership which began in 2004 and has seen Air Canada develop one of the world's most advanced online strategies
Air Canada will benefit from Amadeus e-Retail Booking Engine, web design services and innovative Flex Pricer faring solution
Madrid, Spain/ Chicago, United States, 31 January 2011: Amadeus, a leading transaction processor and provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel and tourism industry, and Air Canada, the flag carrier and largest airline in Canada, today announce a contract extension that will see the airline continue to use Amadeus technology to power its consumer and agency websites.
Under the terms of the new contract extension, Air Canada will continue to benefit from Amadeus' advanced technology to power its websites and the faring behind its global call-centre and airport operations. With a strong presence across 15 countries, Air Canada has one of the world's most innovative online strategies that include flexible travel date searches, 'a la carte' ancillary services, third party ancillary products, such as insurance, and online services including re-booking and upgrades.
Air Canada's website, aircanada.com, also offers innovative pricing that allows customers to customise their travel experience by choosing only the options that they wish to pay for. At the same time, the flexibility of Amadeus' e-Retail booking engine and Flex Pricer faring allows Air Canada to provide total transparency to its travellers and simultaneously increase yield for the airline.
Lise Fournel, CIO, Air Canada, commented: We have worked in close partnership with Amadeus since 2004 and its flexible approach has allowed us to bring new technologies and techniques to market for the benefit of our customers. By extending our relationship further, we plan to continue our leading role in e-Commerce, developing new techniques and applying the latest technology to meet our commercial objectives - whilst offering an intuitive online experience for our customers.
Dwayne Ingram, Executive Vice President Americas, Amadeus commented: Air Canada has demonstrated its commitment to innovating online since the early days of the commercial internet. The pace of innovation is paramount for all airlines in order to bring airline brands to new markets, improve online sales and exceed the expectations of increasingly sophisticated online shoppers.
He continued: Amadeus has worked side by side with Air Canada during the implementation of online enhancements including ancillary service sales and advanced merchandising techniques. We are fully committed to continuing this work and being flexible when supporting Air Canada's future objectives.
Amadeus provides e-Commerce technology to over 70% of the world's top 25 airlines. During 2009 Amadeus e-Commerce Solutions generated approximately € 10 billion of revenue for airlines.
Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international full-service airline providing scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world, serves 31 million customers annually and is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,167 destinations in 181 countries.
Air Canada recently won five top honours in Business Traveler's Best in Business Travel award programme including Best Airline Web Site. This is the most first place awards won by any airline in the world in the influential magazine's annual reader survey..
