In 2017, Amadeus faced a significant challenge when its Altea reservation system experienced a 15-minute outage due to a network issue, causing flight delays at seven airports and disrupting global travel operations. This incident underscored the critical need for robust, scalable, and resilient IT infrastructure in the travel industry. In response, Amadeus turned to Microsoft Azure, embarking on a cloud migration journey to modernize its systems.

By leveraging Azure’s global data centers, advanced AI tools, and disaster recovery capabilities, Amadeus aims to enhance reliability, scalability, and performance, ensuring seamless operations for airlines and passengers alike. This partnership marks a transformative step in the travel industry’s shift toward cloud-based solutions, setting a new standard for innovation and resilience.

Following on from a 2021 agreement, Amadeus has now recommitted to its cloud migration strategy and will use Microsoft’s cloud and AI technologies.

Since first signing an agreement with Microsoft in 2021, Amadeus has thus far moved more than 50 percent of its applications to the public cloud. The new contract will “further advance” this migration.

Amadeus will also use Microsoft’s AI capabilities. Its online booking tool, Cytric Easy, will be infused with generative AI in a bid to create a more conversational experience. The company also plans to create a virtual operations center for airports and a generative AI-based tool to assist hoteliers in understanding business intelligence data.

Microsoft “has proven to be a reliable partner for our cloud migration,” said Sylvain Roy, CTO of Amadeus. “In just a few years, we are already delivering innovative solutions that leverage the technical excellence of both companies and that have the power to transform the travel of tomorrow. I look forward to achieving even more in the coming years.”

“Since our initial announcement in 2021, the pace of the digitalization in the travel industry has continued to accelerate. By combining Amadeus’ expertise with the power of AI and the strength of the Azure Cloud, we are confident that Amadeus continues to transform travel for tomorrow,”

added Corine de Bilbao, president of Microsoft France.

Key Areas of Collaboration:

1. Cloud Migration:
   • Amadeus has been migrating its critical systems and applications to Microsoft Azure to improve performance, scalability, and reliability.
   • This shift enables Amadeus to handle large volumes of data and transactions more efficiently, which is crucial for the travel industry.
2. Data Analytics and AI:
   • By using Azure’s AI and machine learning tools, Amadeus can enhance its data analytics capabilities, offering personalized travel experiences and predictive insights to its customers.
3. Global Reach and Scalability:
   • Microsoft Azure’s global data center network allows Amadeus to deliver services with low latency and high availability, ensuring a seamless experience for travelers and travel agencies worldwide.
4. Security and Compliance:
   • Azure’s robust security features help Amadeus protect sensitive customer data and comply with global regulations like GDPR.
5. Innovation in Travel Solutions:
   • The partnership fosters innovation in areas like booking systems, airport operations, and customer experience management, using Azure’s advanced cloud technologies.

Amadeus IT Group is a Spanish multinational company. The company has a data center in Erding, Germany.

This collaboration highlights the transformative power of cloud computing in building resilient systems that can withstand the demands of a dynamic global travel landscape. As Amadeus continues to leverage Azure’s cutting-edge capabilities, it sets a new benchmark for excellence, ensuring smoother journeys for passengers and more efficient operations for airlines worldwide. Together, Amadeus and Microsoft are shaping the future of travel, one cloud-powered solution at a time.