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US Helicopter Launches Service Using Progressive Airline Hosting and Web-Based Technologies From Worldspan

Posted on: Monday, 24 April 2006, 09:01 CDT

ATLANTA, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- New York-based US Helicopter commenced service in March using industry-leading airline technologies from Worldspan, L.P., a leader in global travel technology. US Helicopter, the United States' only certified scheduled helicopter service designed to meet the needs of time-pressed business travelers, and Worldspan have entered a 10-year technology partnership. On March 27, the carrier launched service between New York's Downtown Manhattan Heliport at Wall Street and John F. Kennedy International Airport. Service from East 34 Street heliport will commence in April.

"Our service to travelers promises speed, efficiency and superior service, so it is imperative that our technology partner help us achieve exceptional operating standards. We are confident in Worldspan's lengthy record as a successful hosting and IT partner for airlines of all sizes and types worldwide," said Donal McSullivan, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for US Helicopter. "Because most of our business will be arranged and transacted at our Web site, we are also advantaged to have the world leader in travel e-commerce provide and power our online booking portal."

"US Helicopter is a unique airline that requires the cross-functional experience, solutions and flexibility Worldspan is known for in the airline technology community," said Kevin Ficco, vice president - Airline Distribution and Business Development for Worldspan. "We are focused on helping US Helicopter surpass its goals of operational excellence as they introduce and expand this unique service for business travelers."

Worldspan Meridian(SM) is the comprehensive airline hosting solution chosen by US Helicopter to manage daily operations, including reservation and inventory management, flight operations, global fares and pricing requirements, electronic ticketing capabilities and more. The carrier has also adopted Worldspan's proprietary Internet Booking Engine (IBE) developed for airlines hosted in Worldspan, and Worldspan SecuRate(R) Air Plus, a highly developed solution for airlines in managing negotiated fares. Worldspan's IBE provides travelers with advanced shopping, booking, transaction processing and electronic ticketing at http://www.flyush.com/. SecuRate Air Plus also allows the carrier to distribute and manage negotiated and private fares with customers via the Web.

US Helicopter will expand service to JFK from New York's East 34th Street Heliport in May and later in 2006 will introduce service between the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and East 34th Street to LaGuardia and Newark Airports. Passengers will have the convenience of undergoing TSA checkpoint security clearance at the heliports, and will also receive boarding passes on American Airlines and have their bags checked through to connecting American Airlines flights at the time of check-in with US Helicopter. The carrier will operate using state-of-the-art Sikorsky S76 aircraft, accommodating eight passengers each, with two pilots aboard every flight. The helicopters can be configured to carry 12 passengers; however, US Helicopter has provided more cabin room by reducing the seat numbers on each aircraft.

US Helicopter is one of eight commercial airlines around the world to recently choose Worldspan for comprehensive hosting and related IT solutions. With more than 30 years experience in serving the commercial aviation industry, Worldspan is one of the most experienced developers and providers of airline technologies and services for airlines worldwide, including world- class carriers Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Globally, Worldspan is the largest transaction processor for online travel agencies, processing nearly two out of every three flights that are shopped, priced, booked and ticketed through travel Web sites worldwide.

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; airlines altering their content or changing the pricing of such content; or other changes within, or that may affect 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.

Worldspan, L.P.

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

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

Source: PRNewswire

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