CHICAGO, June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Orbitz, Inc. (Nasdaq: ORBZ), a
leading online travel company, announced today that Alaska Airlines, the
nation's ninth largest carrier, and sister carrier Horizon Air have
implemented Orbitz' Supplier Link technology, which will reduce the airlines'
distribution costs.
Supplier Link is a sophisticated network of connections that establishes
direct links with an airline's internal reservation system in order to store
passenger records, manage information and book tickets. With Supplier Link,
Orbitz can book tickets directly with Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air,
bypassing traditional Global Distribution Systems.
"An increasing number of airlines are recognizing the cost-saving benefits
of Orbitz' Supplier Link technology as they look for ways to better manage
their business," said Leon Chism, chief internet architect at Orbitz. "The
decision by Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air to implement Supplier Link further
validates the value that Orbitz' technology extends to airlines of all sizes."
"Adding Supplier Link will allow us to further reduce our distribution
costs, which we can pass on to our customers in the form of consistently low
fares," said Steve Jarvis, Alaska Airlines staff vice president of e-commerce
and distribution. "This falls in line with our commitment to take advantage
of emerging technology to minimize costs."
American Airlines, America West Airlines, Continental Airlines, Northwest
Airlines and US Airways have all implemented Supplier link, introduced in
August 2002.
ABOUT ORBITZ
Orbitz, Inc. became a publicly traded company on Dec. 17, 2003, when its
shares were listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol ORBZ. Orbitz is a
leading online travel company that enables travelers to search for and
purchase a broad array of travel products, including airline tickets, lodging,
rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. Since launching its website in
June 2001, Orbitz has become the third largest online travel site based on
gross travel bookings. On Orbitz, consumers can search more than
455 airlines, as well as rates at over 45,000 lodging properties and at 23 car
rental companies. For more information, visit http://www.orbitz.com .
ABOUT ALASKA AIRLINES/HORIZON AIR
The nation's ninth largest carrier, Alaska Airlines was named Technology
Leader of the Year by Air Transport World Magazine last year. Horizon Air is
the nation's eighth largest regional airline, serving nearly 5 million
passengers last year. Alaska and Horizon together serve more than 80 cities
in the United States, Canada and Mexico. For more news and information, visit
the Alaska Airlines Newsroom on the web at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com or
Horizon Air's at http://newsroom.horizonair.com .
Statements in this press release regarding Orbitz that are not historical
facts are forward-looking statements and are subject to risks, assumptions and
uncertainties that could cause such statements to differ materially from
actual future events or results. Any such forward-looking statements are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. The following factors, among others, could cause Orbitz'
actual results to differ materially from those described in a forward-looking
statement: Orbitz' ability to retain and attract customers on a cost-effective
basis; increasing competition from existing or new competitors; relationships
with Orbitz' controlling stockholders and with other travel suppliers;
limitations that could affect the expansion of our Supplier Link business;
risks relating to our ability to expand our business generally; specific risks
that could affect our ability to achieve growth plans for portions of our
business, such as hotels; rapid technological change affecting our industry;
risks associated with litigation or government regulation; declines,
disruptions or events affecting the travel industry; potential fluctuations in
our quarterly and annual results. This list is intended to identify only
certain of the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ.
Readers are referred to the reports and documents filed from time to time by
Orbitz with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of these
and other important risk factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date of this
press release. Orbitz undertakes no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or any other reason.
SOURCE Orbitz, Inc.
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Related links:
http://newsroom.horizonair.com
http://newsroom.alaskaair.com http://www.orbitz.com
CONTACT:
Jeanenne Diefendorf of Orbitz,
+1-312-894-4986, or jdiefendorf@orbitz.com ; or Lou Cancelmi of
Alaska Airlines, +1-206-392-5170
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