Langley, UK, 24 September, 2008 - Travelport GDS, one of the world's leading global distribution system (GDS) providers, has announced a new business intelligence and market analysis strategic partnership with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, to develop a suite of sophisticated IT tools to support the airline's rapid commercial expansion.
The agreement is multi-phased and will see Travelport GDS, through its business intelligence subsidiary Shepherd Systems, partner with Etihad to develop and implement a portfolio of customized data analysis solutions. These will incorporate Travelport's AcuitySM application, the industry's first web-based tool which is able to integrate and analyze airline industry data from multiple sources using a common user interface.
Etihad will also utilize Travelport's BeaconSM market analysis solution, which enables airlines to proactively identify and exploit potential business opportunities, maximizing commercial performance by identifying market trends, growth patterns, traffic and other revenue opportunities.
Gordon Wilson, president and CEO of Travelport GDS said: "Travelport is delighted to partner with Etihad to develop business-transforming applications that can help the world's fastest growing airline to continue its rapid commercial expansion."
"This long term partnership represents a considerable investment on our part in this area of our business which goes well beyond traditional GDS activity and acknowledges the unique capabilities and flexibility that Travelport brings to the business intelligence market. Partnering with a forward-thinking carrier such as Etihad to develop innovative solutions underscores that our market intelligence capabilities are not limited to the analysis of data from our own GDS."
Richard Dawson, Etihad Airways' executive vice president Information Technology, said, "As Etihad Airways continues its rapid expansion and grows in business maturity, we are looking continually to harness IT technology to enhance the airline's bottom-line performance. As Shepherd Systems' launch partner for this application, we are working closely to ensure the capabilities offered by Travelport's systems meet our business needs.
"By helping to develop a leading edge sales information platform, Travelport GDS and Shepherd Systems should enable our global sales teams to identify and exploit commercial opportunities more effectively."
Travelport's Acuity application delivers breakthrough capabilities in airline business intelligence and market analysis for customers. Creating a more effective and efficient approach to data analysis and enhancing key decision making, Travelport's Acuity combines the ability to analyse booking data from various sources such as ticketing, sales, revenue and cost data in a single tool with a common user interface. Previously, airlines would use one tool to analyse booking data, another to analyze ticketing data, etc.
Travelport GDS provides business intelligence services to a wide range of airlines, travel agencies and other travel providers as part of its broad portfolio of services to the travel industry.
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About Travelport GDS:
Travelport GDS is one of the world's largest global distribution system (GDS) providers operating both the Galileo and the Worldspan brands, providing real-time travel information and booking capabilities to online and offline travel agencies in over 145 countries. It also operates Business Intelligence which provides marketing and other critical data to the industry, and includes its Shepherd Systems subsidiary; and IT Services & Software, which offers mission critical reservations, related software and services management to the world's leading airlines. Travelport GDS is a convergence of traditional and online travel distribution services that empower airlines, travel suppliers, travel agencies, Web sites and corporations to provide informed choice to travelers on a global platform. Travelport GDS is a division of Travelport, one of the world's largest service providers to the travel industry. More information about Travelport GDS is available at www.travelportgds.com
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi.
Currently Etihad offers flights to 48 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia.
For further details: Etihad Airways Corporate Communications: tel: + 971 (0) 2 505 8317 / 8573 visit www.etihadmediacentre.com
For Further Information:
Travelport - The Americas
Jill Brenner
+1-973-939-1325
Jill.brenner@travelport.com
Travelport GDS - APAC and EMEA
Kate Aldridge
+44-1753-288720
Kate.Aldridge@travelport.com
© Press Release 2008
