Amadeus bolsters rail unit by creating Rail Business Group

Madrid, Spain, 30 September 2008 – Amadeus, a leading provider of technology to the travel and tourism industry, announces today the formation of the Amadeus Rail Business Group as a result of the integration of the existing Amadeus Rail unit and the recently acquired rail IT company “Onerail”.

The move comes following the full integration of the two companies which means Amadeus now has at its fingertips a suite of quality Rail distribution technology products for both travel agents and Rail providers across the globe.

The Amadeus Rail Business Group, which will draw on expertise from Amadeus dedicated rail teams in Australia, Canada, Germany and Spain, continues to combine both rail IT and distribution expertise, as part of the company’s strategy to be a true travel technology provider, providing an unmatched IT product offering ready to address the growing demands of the rail industry.

Such challenges include European deregulation laws which will come into force in 2010, the wider rollout of e-ticketing and the increased expectations of today’s traveller to have a seamless, end-to-end trip experience.

This newly-bolstered business group will be led by Diane Bouzebiba, who will be responsible for sales, marketing and product management and Head of Development will be Doug Howe, formerly Chief Operating Officer of Onerail, who will now be responsible for product definition and delivery.

Marcos Isaac, Head of Travel Business Group of Amadeus said: “The creation of an enhanced and reinforced Rail unit in Amadeus is yet another milestone in our approach to the industry where we are bringing the best of distribution and IT.”

Amadeus has a long track record in the rail industry – dating back to the 1990s – and is privileged to provide extremely successful distribution solutions to the major railways. Recent acclaimed rail product launches include Fly By Rail – a fully integrated booking system that displays high-speed rail and inter-city services alongside airline flight information – and Airport Express, to which the UK’s Heathrow Express service was recently added; the first air-rail link globally available through the Amadeus Selling Platform.

For further details of the reorganisation and of Amadeus’ Rail IT products, please go to the new Amadeus Rail Business Group website at: http://www.amadeus.com/railwaycompanies


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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 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 217 markets. Amadeus employs over 8,500 employees worldwide, representing 95 nationalities.

More information about Amadeus is available at: http://www.amadeus.com


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Amadeus
Media Relations / Corporate Marketing
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e-mail : mediarelations@amadeus.com