T2RL - Malaysia Airlines Selects Amadeus' PSS Solution to replace SITA

Malaysia Airlines Selects Amadeus' PSS Solution to replace SITA

Malaysia Airlines have selected Amadeus' PSS. Amadeus' growth in Asia outside China remains unchallenged. No migration dates from SITA have been announced but T2RL expect the timeframe to be 2017 or mid-2018, beyond the term of the current agreement with SITA. T2RL see this is a real blow to the long-term prospects for SITA in the passenger services business. SITA have worked very hard to develop their new solution, but they have been unable to retain one of their key customers and one that gave considerable hope to their revival on signature with Malaysia Airlines. SITA will have to make some hard decisions including, T2RL believe considering the sale of the existing business. The loss of Malaysia Airlines will make any future sales much more challenging and existing customers coming to term of their agreements will be likely to lose confidence in the longer-term. The airline community and shareholders will undoubtedly be concerned about competition in the longer term. Perhaps a new buyer could inject the necessary funding or skills to be able to complete the project. T2RL estimate that SITA will have spent between $200 million and $250 million to date from the original estimate provided to the board of some $100-120 million.

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Published: 05/05/2016

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines, through a new passenger service system, will be able to provide travellers more speed and convenience and a sophisticated web booking experience, among others.

The national carrier said in a statement that it had signed “a major deal” with global travel technology leader Amadeus for the system.

“The move to the Amadeus Altéa Suite will be a quantum leap forward for Malaysia Airlines, setting the benchmark for the traveller of the future,” it said.

Amadeus’ Altéa Suite delivers streamlined passenger service solutions including inventory, reservations, passenger self–service check-in, departure control and e-commerce. Navitaire, which was recently acquired by Amadeus, offers agile solutions including the New Skies Reservation System designed to suit the needs of low cost and hybrid carriers. (New Skies has been in operation at Malaysia Airlines’ subsidiary Firefly since 2007.)

“Malaysia Airlines will be able to offer travellers enhanced speed and convenience, a sophisticated web booking experience, state-of-the-art mobile applications and bundled offers to suit individual needs. Passengers can expect a leaner, more agile experience, from booking tickets to pre-purchasing excess baggage, meals and managing loyalty points, all at the click of a button,” it said.

Group chief executive officer Christoph Mueller said, “We are determined to give Malaysia Airlines the technology platform it needs to provide the world’s best services to our customers. The move to Amadeus, underpinned by a groundbreaking continuous release approach to development, will truly put Malaysia Airlines at the leading edge of airline technology globally.”

Amadeus Asia Pacific executive vice-president (airline commercial) Hazem Hussein, said Amadeus was pleased to be chosen to help the airline optimise its operations and revolutionise the customer experience. By choosing Altéa, Malaysia Airlines will join a strong group of more than 120 forward-thinking airlines that understand the necessity of flexibility and customer centricity that our technology is able to bring to its operations.“

The agreement will also ensure Malaysia Airlines have even greater co-operation with its codeshare partners and within the oneworld alliance, enabling a streamlined customer experience between member airlines.

The transaction is expected to close by the second quarter of 2016.

Source:http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2016/05/04/malaysia-airlines-to-launch-new-passenger-service-system/