Amadeus is signing agreements with China Eastern Airlines and China Airlines to power their international websites with Amadeus e-commerce solutions. Implementations for both airlines are expected to be completed in August 2006. In addition to existing e-commerce customers such as Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and EVA Air, these two new carriers make Amadeus become the number one provider of e-commerce solutions to airlines in the Greater China region for international sales.

China Eastern Airlines will benefit from a fully hosted and flexible e-commerce solution that includes a booking engine, website design, development and hosting. The airline selected Amadeus e-Retail Solution, available in 23 languages, specifically to grow non-domestic revenue from Europe, which includes its London, Paris, Frankfurt and Moscow routes. The solution will initially support two languages (English and Chinese), with plans to extend the number of languages in the coming months. 

Similarly, China Airlines has opted for the Amadeus e-Retail Engine solution to generate increased online sales from Taiwan and the North American markets, particularly complex itineraries involving multiple sectors and interline bookings.

The three-year deals will ensure each airline is able to provide a high quality online customer experience, which will significantly increase profitability. Both airlines also plan to implement the Amadeus e-Merchandise solution within a few months to offer full shopping capabilities with transparency of fares and availability to travellers as well as the ability to up-sell additional services to them.

Mr. Phil H. Zhou, General Manager, Revenue Management Department, China Eastern Airlines said, “Developing our online presence is an integral part of our commercial strategy to increase revenues and enhance e-commerce yield. By implementing the e-Retail solution on www.flychinaeastern.com we can do this through delivering an online experience to our customers that is easy to use, provides transparent information, while protecting our investment in the long run.” 

Mr. Joseph Chao, Manager, Passenger Sales, China Airlines added, “Amadeus’ industry leading e-commerce solutions, currently adopted by many carriers, will allow us to grow our e-business faster and in a reliable way. The deployment of this multi-language Internet booking engine solution on www.china-airlines.com represents an expansion of the airline’s distribution strategy in response to overwhelming customer demand for complex multiple-sector and interline bookings through this channel. The cutting edge technology from Amadeus will also give our customers the best quality experience online whilst allowing us to grow our international revenues.”

Jér™me Destors, Commercial Director, Amadeus e-Travel, said, “With the continuing growth of the airline sector in Asia, it is important that carriers look at how their online presence can help to bolster growth both within and outside of their domestic market. Ensuring that flight availability is easily accessible to travellers across the globe, both China Eastern Airlines and China Airlines will be able to deliver on their global growth aspirations. Our proven track record, and unprecedented global reach, means that all our customers can be sure that their e-business capabilities are being hosted on reliable and scalable technology that will continue to support them as they grow.”

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