Amadeus continues diversification with acquisition of rail IT company
Next generation technology backbone increasingly important as trains go head-to-head with airlines on routes under 3 hours
The acquisition allows Amadeus to offer core, next generation technology solutions to help rail companies become more integrated with air travel. The acquisition adds a fully-integrated inventory, pricing, reservation and distribution system, enabling domestic and international distribution alongside other forms of transport – such as air or car – to Amadeus’ suite of solutions for rail companies. Increasingly, rail companies with long-distance and high-speed routes are building links with airlines, such as code share and interline agreements. This enables trains to play a greater role in an integrated transport network by bringing passengers from secondary towns to major “hub” airports. The high-speed rail network today carries about 400 million passengers and is expected to quadruple in size by 2020.
The solutions include a fully integrated reservation system which allows rail companies to sell tickets through travel agencies, direct on the internet and from kiosks in trains. The system is more convenient for travelers and more efficient for the rail company. Amadeus can also now offer sophisticated pricing and profiling solutions which allow rail companies to manage fares more efficiently and customers more attentively.
The suite of solutions developed is already being used by train companies in
On many business routes rail companies are in direct competition with full service airlines, low-cost carriers and, with rail liberalization in
“We believe that the next generation technology developed by Onerail combined with the world-class data processing and distribution reach of Amadeus is an extremely compelling proposition for the industry,” said Philippe Chérèque, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Amadeus, “This allows us to offer massive value to rail companies and, by developing deeper relationships with these vital travel providers, improve our offer to travel agencies and management companies too.”
Onerail is based in
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Notes to the editors
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.
Amadeus has central sites in
The company is majority owned by WAM Acquisition, whose shareholders are BC Partners, Cinven, Air
More information about Amadeus is available at: www.amadeus.com
