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KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Joins the Worldspan Interchange(SM) for Fast, Cost-Efficient Approach to 100 Percent E-Ticketing

Posted on: Monday, 6 February 2006, 09:00 CST

ATLANTA, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the international airline based at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, has chosen to become a Worldspan Interchange participating carrier. The Worldspan Interchange provides KLM with the global airline industry's leading Interline Electronic Ticketing (IET) product to help the carrier achieve the industry goal of 100 percent e-ticketing in 2007. KLM joins more than 100 airlines available through the growing Worldspan Interchange hub.

The Worldspan Interchange is a breakthrough e-ticket message communications hub with an advanced EDIFACT message translation process, which provides Interchange participants immediate access to other participating hub carriers. Participating carriers achieve full hub access through a single implementation and one-time activation fee. Notably, Worldspan Interchange translation functionality allows airlines using different EDIFACT versions to interface seamlessly, a superior communications feature that eliminates costly programming required by other solutions.

"With this product, KLM further progresses toward 100 percent e-ticketing, which is in line with the industry goal of moving to full e-ticketing capabilities by the end of 2007, as initiated by IATA. Presently, 73 percent of all KLM tickets issued are e-tickets," said Bart Vos, senior vice president - Distribution and E-commerce for KLM.

"The Worldspan Interchange makes the activation of KLM's interline electronic ticketing agreements extremely efficient, allowing the airline to galvanize its IET agreements in days as opposed to the months it takes using the standard industry approach," said Kevin Ficco, vice president - Airline Distribution and Business Development for Worldspan. "Further contributing to KLM and every participating airline's need for speed and cost-efficiency, we are the only provider offering subsequent IET activations to airlines in the Interchange at no additional charge to Interchange participants."

Worldspan's progressive approach to e-ticketing transcends the global airline industry's expensive and time-consuming bilateral approach, which has produced only 281 IET agreements in the past eight years. Worldspan's full suite of E-Ticket Technologies not only allows airlines to activate IET agreements in days rather than months, but it also enables airlines to achieve a comprehensive e-ticketing and IET connection in months instead of years, and for pennies on the dollar compared to traditional costs. Using the industry's only solutions to let carriers adopt complete e-ticketing capabilities in stages, according to unique financial and implementation goals, airlines are able to meet immediate and forthcoming industry demands quickly and cost- effectively.

About Worldspan, L.P.

Worldspan is a leader in travel technology services for travel suppliers, travel agencies, e-commerce sites and corporations worldwide. Utilizing some of the fastest, most flexible and efficient networks and computing technologies, Worldspan provides comprehensive electronic data services linking approximately 800 travel suppliers around the world to a global customer base. Worldspan offers industry-leading Fares and Pricing technology such as Worldspan e-Pricing(R), hosting solutions and customized travel products. Worldspan enables travel suppliers, distributors and corporations to reduce costs and increase productivity with technology like Worldspan Go!(R) and Worldspan Trip Manager(R) XE. Worldspan is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Additional information is available at worldspan.com.

Statements in this release and any exhibits hereto which are not purely historical facts, including statements about forecasted financial projections or other statements about anticipations, beliefs, expectations, hopes, intentions or strategies for the future, may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to Worldspan, L.P. ("the Company") on the date this release was submitted. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Any forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or results described in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: the Company's revenue being highly dependent on the travel and transportation industries; airlines limiting their participation in travel marketing and distribution services; and other changes or events which impact the travel industry or the Company. More information on potential risks and uncertainties is available in the Company's recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's annual Form 10-K report, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K and Form S-4.

First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact:

Worldspan, L.P.

CONTACT: Erin Hadaway of Worldspan, L.P., +1-770-563-6545, orerin.hadaway@worldspan.com

Web site: http://www.worldspan.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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