Qantas introduces next generation load control system

Madrid, 23 July 2007: Qantas has become the first airline in the world to roll-out the Amadeus developed next generation load control system, known as Altéa Departure Control–Flight, providing increased efficiency and accuracy of flight departures managed by the airline's Sydney and Melbourne load control centres.

Qantas Chief Information Officer John Willett said the new system received data direct from the airline’s load planning, freight, fuelling and airport information systems, removing existing manual processes.

"A feature of Altéa DC-Flight is the Autoload function, ensuring items to be loaded onto the aircraft are automatically designated to positions to optimise fuel efficiency and streamline loading and unloading."

"This new Amadeus solution includes a Windows-based graphic user interface application, making it more intuitive and easier to use for load controllers," he said.

Mr Willett said that the rollout of the new system had commenced last month, with the airline completing exhaustive trials, including running the new system alongside Qantas' old systems.

"Rigorous preparation has been critical as weight and balance is the process which ensures an aircraft is loaded in accordance with all safety requirements," Mr Willett said.

"Qantas has proved to be an extremely valuable partner in developing one of the industry's most advanced technology platforms," said Amadeus Executive Vice President, Commercial, David Jones. "One of the key concerns of airlines at airports is how to increase productivity and efficiency in the flight departure process. Altéa Departure Control - Flight's high degree of automation, configurable functionality and one-stop data source delivers on this effectively."

For the future, the deployment of Altéa DC-Flight is also planned for a significant and growing number of airlines.

Altéa DC-Flight is the first of two elements comprising the new generation Amadeus Altéa Departure Control Solution. The second component, Altéa DC Customer Management, is a new check-in, boarding and baggage management solution that is expected to be introduced by Qantas next year.

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Notes to editors

About Amadeus
A world-leading technology and distribution solutions provider, Amadeus delivers unparalleled expertise to the travel and tourism industry, including leading-edge solutions that cover airlines’ unique business needs, independent of their size, business model or market reach.

Amadeus' pioneering new-generation Customer Management Solution (CMS) portfolio, Amadeus Altéa CMS, serves network and regional carriers. The Altéa portfolio, based on a pioneering community platform concept, enables improved operational efficiency and increases revenue. The portfolio consists of the Altéa Reservation, Altéa Inventory and Altéa Departure Control solutions.

Low cost carriers also have a specific CMS for LCCs - based on adaptive technology and already used by carriers in Europe and the USA, that provides robust options that easily adjust to their evolving operational requirements.

Further complementing these integrated IT solutions is the Amadeus e-Travel Airline Suite. Over 70 of the world’s leading airlines use the Amadeus e-Travel Airline Suite to power over 250 websites in more than 80 markets.

Other standalone IT solutions include: Amadeus Revenue Integrity solution, Amadeus Ticket Changer, an automatic ticket reissue tool, and a full range of ticketing solutions; including e-ticket interlining and ground-handling management technology services.

More information about Amadeus' solutions for airlines is available at: http://www.amadeus.com/airlines.

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