For release: 10 Oct 2005
EDS Integrates Reservations Systems for New US Airways
EDS To Combine Technological Capabilities At America West Airlines and US Airways As Companies Merge to Create Fifth Largest Airline
PLANO, Texas and TEMPE, Ariz. – EDS will work in partnership with the newly-formed US Airways to integrate the reservations systems as the company moves to become the nation’s largest low-fare airline. The EDS reservation system currently used by America West Airlines will be expanded throughout US Airways.
“Combining passenger handling systems marks a big step toward a seamless customer experience,” said Joe Beery, CIO for US Airways. “We are beginning this new chapter with our EDS partner.”
The EDS reservations system today handles 25 to 30 million passengers boarded by America West each year. Once combined, the system is expected to handle about 85 million passengers for the merged carrier and support service to 229 destinations in Europe, the Caribbean and North America.
“We’ve invested more than 25 years in getting to know the needs of these carriers and feel privileged to have earned the position as a true partner to both,” said EDS U.S. Transportation Vice President Jim Dullum. “The combined airline benefits from a proven solution, which coupled with EDS’ service-oriented platform provides new levels of flexibility. This agreement accelerates US Airways’ objective to achieve a low-cost, industry-leading position.”
These clients will leverage the strategic investment EDS has made in its transportation industry solution portfolio to provide the foundation for new, lower cost points. EDS’ service-oriented architecture foundation helps airlines lower their per transaction expenses. It also allows the ability to cost effectively modify and enhance software applications in a dynamic environment as the merger progresses.
“Now that we’ve worked through the many details required to finalize this merger, the news that our IT infrastructure merger is already underway puts us ahead of the normal pace and is exactly what our customers, shareholders and all of our stakeholders will want to hear,” said Beery.
EDS has provided IT services for America West since the airlines’ inaugural flight in 1983. EDS has provided IT outsourcing for US Airways since July 2001. EDS is the largest provider of global IT infrastructure services to the airline industry.
About US Airways
US Airways and America West's recent merger creates the fifth largest domestic airline employing nearly 38,000 aviation professionals. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express operate approximately 4,000 flights per day and serve more than 225 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. This press release and additional information on US Airways can be found at www.usairways.com or www.americawest.com.
About EDS
EDS (NYSE: EDS) is a leading global technology services company delivering business solutions to its clients. EDS founded the information technology outsourcing industry more than 40 years ago. Today, EDS delivers a broad portfolio of information technology and business process outsourcing services to clients in the manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, communications, energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries and to governments around the world. With $20.7 billion in 2004 revenue, EDS is ranked 95th on the Fortune 500. Learn more at eds.com.
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