Virgin Atlantic guarantees access to full content through Amadeus for at least three years

Madrid, Spain, 1 October, 2009: Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, has signed a worldwide agreement with Virgin Atlantic to ensure travel agents have access to the airline’s full range of content. Jon Harding, General Manager International & Distribution, Virgin Atlantic, says: “We have always been and remain committed to travel agencies who form an essential part of our multi-channel distribution strategy. We are delighted to announce this agreement with Amadeus and look forward to building on the close working relationship we enjoy with them.”The full range of Virgin Atlantic’s fares, schedules and inventory made available through the Amadeus system will be the same, and offered under the same conditions, as that offered through any indirect or direct channel, distribution provider or website.“We are pleased to be able to offer travel agencies the security of knowing they will be able to access the full range of Virgin Atlantic content through Amadeus,” says Ian Wheeler, Vice President, Marketing and Distribution, Amadeus. Amadeus has over 130 agreements which enable travel agents to access airlines’ full inventory. This represents over 255 million bookings a year, or 70% of all airline bookings sold by Amadeus travel agencies worldwide.- Ends -Notes to the editorsAmadeus 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 through 71 local Amadeus Commercial Organisations, covering 219 markets.The company is majority owned by WAM Acquisition, whose shareholders are BC Partners, Cinven, Air France, Iberia and Lufthansa. Amadeus employs over 8,600 employees worldwide, representing 105 nationalities. More information about Amadeus is available at: http://www.amadeus.comContact detailsAmadeus Corporate Communication / Corporate Marketingtel : +34 91 582 0160fax : +34 91 582 0188e-mail : mediarelations@amadeus.com