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WestJet Selects Cendant Travel Distribution Services' New Passenger Services System, aiRES(TM), for Greater Business Flexibility and Innovative Functionality

Posted on: Thursday, 15 September 2005, 15:00 CDT

PARSIPPANY, N.J. and AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire- FirstCall/ -- Today at the World Low Cost Airlines Congress 2005 in Amsterdam, Cendant Travel Distribution Services (TDS) and WestJet, the leading Canadian low-fare carrier renowned for its innovation in the airline industry, announced a multi-year agreement that will provide WestJet with Cendant TDS' next-generation Passenger Services System (PSS), aiRES. WestJet is the launch customer for the new airline reservation platform, and is serving as a co- development partner to ensure that aiRES continues to offer industry leading features and functionality. This new technology will replace WestJet's current reservation, scheduling and check-in systems.

aiRES is an innovative new passenger services platform designed to replace less flexible, more expensive, older legacy airline 'hosting' systems. The system supports an airline's ability to be more efficient, agile and innovative in a rapidly changing airline environment. WestJet will implement this integrated, multi-hosting system to effectively manage its passenger reservations, inventory control, fares, ticketing, and departure control functions.

Built on new technology and designed with an open, multi-layered modular architecture, aiRES provides the utmost flexibility by enabling business model changes without making major changes directly to the software. In addition, aiRES can enable airlines to integrate their distribution channels with other travel services. This architecture could, for example, allow a customer returning a rental car at the airport to simultaneously receive an airline boarding pass, or while checking in at an airport kiosk, customers can book a hotel or make dinner reservations at a local restaurant. The new technology will also enable functionality that supports improved customer service and increased efficiencies for the airline, such as a three-step booking process and very fast check-in.

aiRES is being jointly brought to market through a business alliance between Cendant TDS and IBS Software Services, a leader in software solutions and services to the global travel, transportation and logistics industries.

"We've worked closely with Cendant and IBS to develop an integrated system that will provide WestJet with innovative, industry-leading technology that will enable WestJet to continue to have a competitive advantage," said Don Bell, executive vice president, WestJet. "aiRES' open architecture and flexibility will allow WestJet to more effectively implement change and quickly respond to market conditions. Over the past year, our teams have worked together to ensure that WestJet had the right foundation for success in executing against our business strategy, and the tools to be able to respond to changing market and competitive conditions. Cendant and IBS have been able to deliver based on our unique needs, and we're excited about the future opportunities that await us."

"The airline industry has long needed a new Passenger Service System that more effectively supports rapidly changing business processes and evolving business models," said Flo Lugli, senior vice president, Airline Solutions for Cendant TDS. "WestJet's commitment demonstrates the advantages in our technology and flexible business approach".

Lugli added, "aiRES delivers a new level of service that the airline industry has never experienced before. With our unmatched portfolio of assets, Cendant TDS drives innovative business models that can help deliver more business to airlines and lower transaction costs. WestJet has always been an innovative and progressive carrier. This is particularly significant because we seek partners who believe in a collaborative and highly aligned business approach."

For more information, please log onto http://www.go-aires.com/. About Cendant Travel Distribution Services

Cendant Corporation's Travel Distribution Services Division, is one of the world's largest and most geographically diverse collections of travel brands and distribution businesses. The division, employing nearly 9,000 people in approximately 120 countries, includes: a leading global distribution services (GDS) company (Galileo), serving more than 44,000 travel agencies and over 60,000 hotels; hotel distribution and services businesses (Neat Group(R), THOR(R), TRUST and WizCom(R)); leading online travel agencies (CheapTickets(R), ebookers.com(R), HotelClub.com, Lodging.com, Orbitz(R), and RatesToGo.com); an airline market intelligence company (Shepherd Systems); an international travel technology and software company (Travelwire); a leading international provider of long-haul air travel and travel product consolidator (Travel 2(R)/Travel 4(R)); online global corporate travel management solutions (Orbitz for Business(R) and Travelport(R)); and a leading wholesaler and global online provider of hotels, destination services, travel packages and group tours (Gullivers Travel Associates, OctopusTravel.com(R) and Travel Bound, Inc.).

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's leading low-cost airline offering scheduled service throughout its 34-city North American network. Named Canada's most respected corporation for customer service in 2005, WestJet pioneered low-cost high- value flying in Canada. With increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, and live seatback television on its 737-700 fleet, WestJet strives to be the number one choice for travelers. Visit http://www.westjet.com/ for more information.

About IBS Software Services

The IBS Group (IBS) is a leading IT solutions provider to the global Travel, Transportation and Logistics (TTL) industry. A specialist in the domain, IBS is SEI CMM Level-5 assessed, ISO 9001:2000 and TickIT certified, and operates a large offshore software production and competence development centre in India. With some of the world's leading corporations as clients, IBS has business operations in USA, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. The services offered by IBS include software development, technical and business consulting, product development, turnkey solutions, customer support services, application maintenance, and business process outsourcing. More information about IBS can be found on the web at http://www.ibsplc.com/.

Cendant

CONTACT: Mary Henn or Jill Brenner, both for Cendant Travel DistributionServices, +1-973-496-5870, TDS.CorpCom@cendant.com

Web site: http://www.cendant.com/http://www.go-aires.com/http://www.westjet.com/

Source: PRNewswire- FirstCall

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