JEDDAH – Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, has signed up for Amadeus' new Passenger Revenue Accounting solution, Amadeus – a leading travel technology partner and transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry – said Wednesday. The deal strengthens the current partnership between Saudia and Amadeus and demonstrates their mutual willingness to expand the existing relationship beyond the core modules of the Altéa Suite, Amadeus Passenger Service System. Amadeus will be providing Saudia with an industry-leading passenger revenue accounting solution that will support the airline on its steady growth path. Leveraging new technology and integration with the airline's passenger services system (Altéa), the Amadeus Passenger Revenue Accounting solution accelerates revenue recognition and automates labour intensive tasks. Saudia will be the first carrier to implement this new generation solution and is working in close cooperation with Amadeus to roll out the Amadeus Passenger Revenue Accounting solution early 2013. In preparation for the migration, Khalid A. Almolhem, Saudia's Director General, approved an aggressive business plan to re-establish the organization of revenue accounting within the company and oversee the hiring of highly educated Saudi nationals. The airline has also commissioned an intensive training and knowledge build-up program to prepare Saudia to take over its passenger revenue accounting processes. Muhammad Ali Albakri, Vice President - Information Technology at Saudi Arabian Airlines, said: “Saudia's choice to adopt the Amadeus Passenger Revenue Accounting solution is a strategic choice, which came as a result of months of consideration and joint discussions between Saudia and our technology strategic partner, Amadeus. For Saudia to be a launch airline for this new generation passenger revenue accounting system is an exciting venture that will enable Saudia to positively influence the design of the brand new system.” “We anticipate huge benefits not only for the Finance Division, but also in the way we can effectively and efficiently support all the other business divisions of the airline in their continuous need for passenger revenue data,” he added. “We are delighted to expand our strategic partnership with Saudia,” said Christophe Bousquet, Vice President, Development, Amadeus. “The Amadeus Passenger Revenue Accounting solution embraces latest technology and industry standards. We are confident this solution will efficiently support Saudia's operational activities whilst responding to the airline's strategic business growth plans. In an increasingly demanding business environment, we are proud to have been selected by Saudia to help them implement their corporate priorities.” Antoine Medawar, Vice President, Middle East and North Africa, Amadeus, said: “This strategic partnership with Saudi Arabian Airlines is further evidence of our shared belief about the way ahead for next generation passenger revenue accounting solutions. We at Amadeus are committed to providing the best in class technology to support the travel industry growth in the Middle East.” – SG
