SAS Group Signs 10-Year Technology Partnership with Amadeus

SAS Group has entered into a 10-year technology partnership with Amadeus, a global provider of travel technology and distribution solutions. The agreement focuses on the implementation of a new passenger service system aimed at enhancing cost efficiency and responsiveness for SAS Group's airlines.

Under the terms of the agreement, Scandinavian Airlines, Widerøe, and Blue1 will adopt the Amadeus Altea Customer Management Solution. This platform will manage global sales and reservations, inventory, and departure control processes. Additionally, the airlines will utilize Amadeus' e-commerce suite to support their commercial websites and drive online sales.

The phased migration of the new technology is scheduled to begin in 2010. SAS Group CIO, Mats Fagerlund, stated that the partnership replaces legacy systems with a modern, standardized solution. The Amadeus Altea CMS provides an integrated platform designed to streamline airline passenger services and improve customer data management.

Amadeus' platform is currently used by over 100 airlines and connects to more than 100,000 travel agency locations worldwide. SAS Group is expected to benefit from shared costs for system maintenance and development, as well as easier integration with partners using the same technology. SAS also becomes the eleventh Star Alliance member to select Amadeus' customer management technology.