DALLAS and MADRID, May 5,
2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and
Amadeus IT Group (AMS: MC) announced today that they have entered
into a joint contract for Amadeus' Altéa reservations solution that
will support the carrier's domestic service. Amadeus' Altéa
reservations solution currently supports the Company's
international service, and Southwest has long indicated a desire to
operate just one reservation system, operating multiple systems
following the acquisition of AirTran and the launch of
international service on Southwest. After months of due
diligence, the airline selected Amadeus' Altéa solution based on a
successful international launch and future capabilities.
"We were pleased with the international launch, and we could not
be more impressed with the experience of Amadeus and the
capabilities of their product," said Gary
Kelly, Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO. "We
are the largest domestic carrier in the
United States, and we believe having one reservation system
will provide a better operation for our Employees and our Customers
as we embark on our very bright future domestically and
abroad."
Over the next few years, Southwest and Amadeus will partner to
move to a single reservation system. Until then, the airline will
continue with two reservation platforms after the sunset of the
AirTran brand in December 2014. Amadeus is the leading IT
provider for the travel and tourism industry with a unique
portfolio of new generation solutions and the largest customer base
for airline passenger service systems.
"We are extremely pleased to have been selected by Southwest.
Without question, this is truly a landmark IT partnership for
Amadeus, and we are committed to delivering a successful transition
to a single reservation system. We are confident that Southwest
will enrich our global airline community and look forward to their
active involvement and contributions to the future evolution of the
Altéa platform," said Luis Maroto,
President and CEO, Amadeus.
After two years of work, Southwest began selling international
itineraries in January 2014 using
Amadeus' Altéa reservation solution. The carrier will begin
flying those itineraries on July 1,
2014.
"This is an exciting time in the Technology Department of
Southwest Airlines, and I could not be more enthusiastic about this
partnership with Amadeus," said Randy
Sloan, Southwest Airlines Senior Vice President and Chief
Information Officer. "There is much work ahead of us, but I
am confident in our Team and the future possibilities and
capabilities we will develop to help fly Southwest into the
future."
Southwest is Amadeus' largest U.S. airline IT partner in terms
of domestic passengers boarded annually. Amadeus has more than 100
airlines on their reservation system—mostly based in Europe, Asia,
and Latin America. Once
implemented, Southwest will be Amadeus' largest airline IT partner
worldwide in terms of passengers boarded.
"We've had the distinct pleasure of working with Southwest to
support its international flying, and we are excited to now expand
our successful partnership to include domestic flying. Our
joint success to date is due in no small part to the complementary
cultures of our two organizations, our shared respect for our team
members, and a relentless focus on execution and delivery," said
Julia Sattel, Senior Vice President,
Airline IT, Amadeus.
About Southwest Airlines Co.
In its 43rd year of
service, Dallas-based Southwest
Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other
carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than
45,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Based
on the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Southwest is the nation's largest carrier in terms
of originating domestic passengers boarded. The airline also
operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve
96 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, and five
near-international countries via wholly owned subsidiary, AirTran
Airways. Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the
world, known for its triple bottom line approach that takes into
account the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance
of its People and the communities it serves, and its commitment to
efficiency and the planet. The 2012 Southwest Airlines One Report™
can be found at southwest.com/citizenship.
From its first flights on June 18,
1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented
affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of
Transportation as "The Southwest Effect," a lowering of fares and
increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. With
Southwest Airlines, Bags Fly Free ® (first and second checked
pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are no
change fees when you need to change your flight. Southwest's fleet
offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, a
majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi
connectivity over the United
States, which enables live and video-on-demand TV currently
FREE compliments of DISH, and a new, sustainable cabin interior.
Southwest acquired AirTran Airways in May
2011 and by the end of 2014 intends to complete the full
integration of the AirTran network into Southwest. With 41
consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest and
AirTran operate more than 3,600 flights a day. Southwest Airlines'
frequent flights and low fares are available online
at southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.
About Amadeus
Amadeus is a leading provider of
advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry.
Customer groups include travel providers (e.g. airlines, hotels,
rail and ferry operators, etc.), travel sellers (travel agencies
and websites), and travel buyers (corporations and travel
management companies).
The Amadeus group employs around 10,000 people worldwide.
Amadeus has central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters), Nice
(development) and Erding (operations – data processing center) and
regional offices and centers in Boston, Dallas, Miami, Buenos
Aires, Bangkok and
Dubai. At a market level, Amadeus maintains customer
operations through 71 local Amadeus Commercial Organizations
covering 195 countries.
The group operates a transaction-based business model. For the
year ended December 31, 2013 the
company reported revenues of €3,103.7million and EBITDA of €1,188.7
million.
Amadeus is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange under the symbol
"AMS.MC" and is a component of the IBEX 35 index.
To find out more about Amadeus please visit www.amadeus.com
About Amadeus Altéa
- The Amadeus Altéa Suite is fully integrated customer management
solution for airlines which includes three modules: Altéa
Inventory, Altéa Reservation and Altéa Departure Control System.
The Amadeus Altéa Reservation system ensures seamless reservation
service across all sales channels through the unique sharing of
reservation services between all airlines and Amadeus subscribers;
the Amadeus Altéa Inventory System provides inventory control,
schedule management, re-accommodation and seating management
services; and the Amadeus Altéa Departure Control System provides
check-in, boarding pass issuance, baggage management, and aircraft
weight and balance services.
- Currently more than 100 of the world's leading airlines use the
Altéa platform, including British Airways, Lufthansa, Air-France
KLM, TAM, Singapore, Avianca,
Qatar and Qantas. In 2013, Altéa
processed around 615 million Passengers Boarded (i.e. the actual
number of passengers boarded onto flights operated by airlines
using at least the Amadeus Altéa Reservation and Inventory
modules).
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements related to
the Company's selection of Amadeus' Altéa reservations solution
(the "Altéa solution") to support its domestic service. Specific
forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements
related to (i) the Company's expectations with respect to the Altéa
solution's capabilities and its impact on the Company's operations
and Customer Service; and (ii) the Company's anticipated timeline
for moving to a single reservation system. These forward-looking
statements are based on the Company's current intent, expectations,
and projections and are not guarantees of future performance.
These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and
other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause
actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or
indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) the
Company's ability to timely and effectively implement and
transition to the Altéa solution; and (ii) the Company's dependence
on third parties with respect to its move to the Altéa
solution.
SOURCE Southwest Airlines
