Northwest Airlines and Amadeus Finalize Long-term Agreement To Provide Full Content To North American Travel Agencies
As a preferred distribution channel, Amadeus subscribers can continue to access and book Northwest's full content without surcharges
NMIAMI, November 30, 2006: Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, today announced it has reached a five-year agreement with Northwest Airlines that will allow Amadeus travel agents to continue to access and book full content from Northwest and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines without being subject to content surcharges.
Under the terms of the agreement, Amadeus is now a preferred distribution channel for Northwest Airlines which will enable Amadeus agents in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to continue to have integrated access to all publicly available fares and inventory offered by Northwest and KLM.
“We are pleased to reach this definitive agreement with Northwest Airlines as it brings the carrier's full content to our agency customers which they have indicated is critical for their business," said Peter von Moltke, Senior Vice President of the Airline Business Group for Amadeus North America.
As a result of this agreement, Northwest Airlines and KLM will also become a participating carrier in the soon-to-launch content access program designed to help Amadeus agencies more easily transition into the new business realities of today's marketplace. The Amadeus content access program will provide Amadeus subscribers with guaranteed access to full content from participating carriers without being subject to any airline segment surcharges.
“This long-term agreement with Amadeus makes Northwest’s competitive fares and convenient schedules available to more travelers, said Al Lenza, Vice President of Distribution and E-commerce at Northwest Airlines. "It also allows us to meet the needs of our Amadeus travel agency partners in a cost-competitive way."
Von Moltke said Amadeus continues to engage in ongoing negotiations with other major North American carriers regarding full content distribution.
Notes to the editors
About Amadeus
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 travelers). Solutions are grouped in four solution categories -- Distribution & Content, Sales & e-Commerce, Business Management and Services & Consultancy.
Amadeus has central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters & marketing), Nice (development) and Erding (Operations -- data processing centre) and regional offices in Miami, Buenos Aires and Bangkok. At market level, Amadeus maintains customer operations in 76 countries covering more than 215 markets.
The company is owned by WAM Acquisition, whose shareholders are BC Partners, Cinven, Air France, Iberia and Lufthansa. Amadeus employs nearly 6,700 employees worldwide, representing 95 nationalities. Amadeus’ revenue for the six months year ended 30 June was €1,381.6m.
More information about Amadeus is available at: www.amadeus.com
