Over 30 airlines to attend UATP 2008 conference

Washington, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - UATP and Airline Business magazine present Airline Distribution 2008, a global conference focusing on distribution and issues facing the airline industry today; 22-24 April, Kuala Lumpur, the Mandarin Oriental.

Airline Business Editor Mark Pilling will present opening remarks and moderate the lead Executive panel with senior commercial executives from network carriers and industry analysts. The panel will focus on managing distribution costs as the rules of the game change rapidly in the way that tickets are sold as well as the debate of profitability on short-haul routes and future initiatives.

JUST ANNOUNCED: keynote address by Idris Jala, Managing Director/CEO, Malaysia Airlines. Transforming an airline from near bankruptcy to profitability in less than 18 months, Jala will address the successful turn-around strategies and discuss future strategies for the continued growth success of Malaysia Airlines. Jala will join Asia-Pacific Airline Business Editor, Nicholas Ionides, for a Q&A session with the audience; and Cam Wallace, General Manager for New Zealand and Pacific Sales, Air New Zealand. Wallace will discuss Air New Zealand's distribution strategies and the future of Air New Zealand. Airline Business Editor Mark Pilling will join Wallace for a Q&A session with the audience. Don't miss your chance to quiz these industry leaders!

Other speakers include industry experts from Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, Amadeus, Zuji, Edgar Dunn & Company, Abacus, BilltoBill, UATP, Travel Technology Research Limited and more!

Register now for the UATP-Airline Business: Airline Distribution 2008 Conference, Kuala Lumpur at the incomparable Mandarin Oriental.

Online registration is at http:/www.uatp.com/distribution2008

Listen to the industry's leading experts speak out on business critical topics during sessions that will address:
1. Executive Session -- The Asian Outlook
2. The Distribution Debate -- what major factors must be considered within the distribution chain?
3. The LCC Model -- Expanding Choices and Offerings
4. The Payment Debate -- credit card costs are now the largest distribution expense for airlines; what is being done to change this?
5. Corporate Buyers -- Give Me What I Want -- Is it Managed Travel?
6. Ancillary Revenue -- The New Model?

Join your colleagues for this executive-level distribution forum and networking event.

For complete details, an up-to-date agenda and a chance to "meet our speakers and sponsors" visit www.uatp.com distribution2008 Contact marketing@uatp.com with any questions.

Press contact:
Wendy L. Ward
+1 202-626-4077
wward@uatp.com

SOURCE: UATP
CONTACT: Wendy L. Ward of UATP,
+1-202-626-4077,
wward@uatp.com
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040318UATPLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk:
photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.uatp.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008

UATP acceptance enhanced with Chinese carrier Shandong

Washington (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Shandong Airlines, Jinan, Shandong province, is the latest Chinese carrier to join the UATP network as a new Merchant, effective immediately. Shandong Airlines now accepts all UATP corporate cards and is a part of the UATP global corporate travel payment network.

"Shandong concentrates on bringing the best service, safety and meeting customer demand to become the best and most successful airline of China," said President and Vice Secretary of SDA, Sun Yude. "Accepting UATP is part of Shandong's strategic plan to grow our corporate market share both within China and abroad; customers want to use UATP as their preferred form of payment and we want to meet that demand."

Shandong Airlines operates more than 200 routes within China and abroad and works on the concept of SC-three, "Shandong, Safety, Success." Shandong developed the concept of "ensure security, offer excellent service, maximum profit," to become one of the strongest regional airlines of China in the near future.

"China is an important market for UATP and with the addition of Shandong Airlines as a new UATP Merchant, the network continues its growth within China and is meeting the demand of one of the fastest growing corporate travel areas in the world," stated Ralph Kaiser, president and CEO, UATP. "Shandong is responding to corporate client demand and building a smart business strategy to grow their market share."

Shandong Airlines offers a number of services including wide-spread domestic and international flights, international cargo services, hotel services, the Rainbow International Travel Service (tour operations), comprehensive training services and the Rainbow Club frequent flyer program, a Star Alliance member.
For more information visit uatp.com or www.shandongair.com.cn

About UATP

UATP accounts are accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel by airlines and travel agencies worldwide. UATP accounts are issued by: Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, American Airlines (NYSE: AMR), Austrian Airlines, Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL), Japan Airlines (Pink Sheets: JALSY), Northwest Airlines (NYSE: NWA), Qantas Airways, Ltd., United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA), and US Airways (NYSE: LCC). AirPlus International issues the UATP-based Company Account for: British Airways (Pink sheets: BAIRY), Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), and Lufthansa German Airlines.

Press contact: Wendy L. Ward Director, Marketing &
Communications
202-626-4077 wward@uatp.com
SOURCE: UATP
CONTACT: Wendy L. Ward, Director of Marketing &
Communications, +1-202-626-4077, wward@uatp.com
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040318UATPLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk: photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.uatp.com
http://www.shandongair.com.cn

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS

UATP expands Chinese market; Hainan Airlines joins UATP network

Washington, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Hainan Airlines Company Limited (HNA), China, joins the UATP network as a new Merchant airline.

Hainan Airlines now accepts all UATP corporate cards and is a part of the UATP global corporate travel payment network made up of more than 220 airlines and travel agencies worldwide.

General Manager of Marketing and Sales, Xuxin, Hainan Airlines Co. Ltd., said: "Hainan Airlines is focusing on the development of international air markets and meeting clients' needs."

He added, "Accepting UATP is essential to the success of Hainan; we can achieve our expectations and we believe our corporation will be successful."

HNA has changed the traditional conception that airlines service is only restricted in the cabin. The company showed a brand-new conception "Air Products" for customers, and took the lead in introducing the new service principle of "Whole-course series products and customized service" with the promises to offer customers seamless services.

HNA advocates the corporate tenet of Faithfulness, Kindness, Excellence and Perfection and the corporate concept of "To do something for the society, to do something for others, and to do something for oneself". HNA is doing its best to reach its goals of being the first choice of airline for passengers and being one of the world's famous brands as a Chinese company in the future.

"Hainan joins other Chinese carriers in its expansion for market share. By accepting UATP, Hainan will be able to grow its corporate travel sector and increase its presence," said Ralph Kaiser, CEO and president, UATP. "China continues to be the leading growth area for corporate travel in the world; Hainan is positioning itself to capitalize on this growth and meeting the demands of corporate travelers by accepting UATP."

Visit uatp.com for additional information.

About UATP

UATP accounts are accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel by airlines and travel agencies worldwide. UATP accounts are issued by: Aer Lingus, Air New Zealand, American Airlines (NYSE: AMR), Austrian Airlines, Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL), Japan Airlines (Nasdaq OTC: JALSY), Northwest Airlines (NYSE: NWA), Qantas Airways, Ltd., United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA), and US Airways (NYSE: LCC). AirPlus International issues the UATP-based Company Account for: British Airways (NYSE: BAIRY), Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), and Lufthansa German Airlines.

SOURCE: UATP
CONTACT: Wendy L. Ward of UATP, +1-202-626-4077
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040318UATPLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.uatp.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008