Though it has already been years in the making,
a ubiquitous, common IT platform for the Star Alliance is one step closer to reality now that system provider Amadeus announced a 10-year pact with SAS Group. Though not the largest, SAS is a cog in Star. Skepticism regarding Amadeus' ability to actually bring Star founder United Airlines into the common IT fold was somewhat lessened when vice president of strategic airline and partner programs
Hans Jorgensen in March told
The Beat that United's planned migration to the system still is on track.
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The Amadeus-SAS deal is "for the provision of a new generation passenger service system," according to an Amadeus statement. "Amadeus will implement the new technology platform for the SAS Group of airlines through a phased migration process which will start in 2010. Through the partnership, Scandinavian Airlines, Wideroe and Blue 1 will adopt the full Amadeus Altea Customer Management Solution to manage their global sales and reservations, inventory and departure control processes."
Amadeus said 11 Star members have now selected its customer management technology.