Mexicana and Amadeus to develop long-term technology partnership

Madrid, November 08, 2007: Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry and Mexicana de Aviación, Mexico’s leading airline, have signed a preliminary agreement that paves the way for a long-term technology partnership between the two companies.

Through the agreement and subject to final negotiation, Mexicana will adopt the full Altéa Customer Management Solution to manage reservations, inventory, and departure control, as well as e-commerce technology, to drive sales through the airline’s commercial website, www.mexicana.com.

Adoption of next-generation technology will support Mexicana’s IT modernisation program, and equip the airline with the tools and flexibility to respond effectively to their customers’ needs and expectations.

Santiago Ontañón, Mexicana’s IT Director commented: "We have decided to invest in new generation technology in order to better address growing market challenges. Amadeus’ leading technology will provide us with an advanced platform to deliver the highest possible level of service to our customers, into the future. Furthermore, this initiative will provide us with a clear competitive advantage over other airlines in our market, most of whom use passenger systems with more limited and less customer-centric functionality."

Amadeus’ customer management technology is based on an integrated platform that enables process optimisation and enhanced data exchange across an airline’s passenger service systems. This means, for example, that a passenger’s flight history can be shared in real-time, or retrieved easily and quickly, across the reservations, inventory and departure control systems, allowing the airline’s agents to better offer a customised service to their passengers.

In addition, half of the airlines with which Mexicana has alliances, use at least one component of Altéa CMS. This eases the prospects for further integration with them for Mexicana.

The ability to maximise its online sales channel is also a strategic imperative for Mexicana, which has used Amadeus’ e-commerce technology since 2006 and strengthened its online business significantly.

Arnaud Debuchy, Amadeus’ Vice President, Airline Sales for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, said: “As one of Latin America’s most successful airlines, we are delighted that Mexicana is opting for Amadeus technology to underpin its growth. We are confident our technology will boost Mexicana’s online and offline selling processes and also enable it to save system development and maintenance costs through the outsourced platform.”

Today, over 150 other airlines around the world use at least one module of Altéa CMS and more than 70 airlines use Amadeus' e-commerce technology, including airlines across the globe as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Iberia and Qantas.

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Notes to editors

About Mexicana de Aviación

Mexicana de Aviación began operations 85 years ago and hence it is the fourth oldest airline in the world. Currently, it is Mexico's airline with the largest international coverage and the leading company in regards to transport between Mexico and the United States. From its operations center in the International Airport of Mexico City, it serves approximately 50 destinations in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Its shared code agreements with important airlines around the world represent big benefits for its passengers, such as the accumulation and redemption of miles, access to Executive Lounges, ample possibilities for connections and coordinated schedules through an extensive network of routes that cover most of the world. Having one of the world's most modern fleets has allowed Mexicana to sustain one of the best on-time records, which has also allowed the company to obtain an average daily operational usage of its Airbus fleet of 12:52 hrs. Mexicana has the best Maintenance Base in Latin America. For the second time, Mexicana was awarded the 2006 World Travel Award as the best Business Class in Mexico and Latin America, in addition to having received for the ninth time in a row the award as the best airline in that same region. Also in July, 2005, Mexicana launched its low-cost airline Click Mexicana, which currently offers very attractive prices. Click Mexicana covers a total of 23 routes and operates 14 Fokker 100 units with the most advanced technology.

For more information visit: www.mexicana.com and www.click.com.mx


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 travellers). Solutions are grouped in four solution categories – Distribution & Content, Sales & e-Commerce, Business Management and Services & Consulting.

Today, the company is owned by WAM Acquisition, whose shareholders are BC Partners, Cinven, Air France, Iberia and Lufthansa. Amadeus employs nearly 7,600 employees worldwide, representing 95 nationalities. More information about Amadeus is available at: www.amadeus.com


Press contacts

Mexicana
Walter Heckel
ICE Asesores en Comunicación y Prensa
Tel. 5616 2727
E-mail: ice@ice-asesores.com

Amadeus
Corporate & Marketing Communication
Tel: +34 91 582 0160
Fax: +34 91 582 0188
E-mail:mediarelations@amadeus.com