The new Thailand based company will focus on the future development of innovative airline sales and distribution systems

Dubai and Bangkok, 29th June 2010: Following the acquisition of tikAERO Mercator, the airline IT solutions provider of the Emirates Group and a global leader in business technology solutions for the airline and transportation industry, has today established a new office in Bangkok, Thailand.  The office will be known as Mercator Asia and will provide a base for the on development of the system and other passenger related solutions.

Patrick Naef, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Group IT, stated:  "Establishing a Mercator office in the Asia Region is a very positive step for us.  We see a significant opportunity in being able to tap into the hard working and highly skilled resources that are available in Thailand.  This facility will also provide us with easier access to a fast growing region for commercial aviation"

The new Mercator offices are located in the heart of Bangkok.  There are currently 40 staff employed by Mercator Asia led by Roland Heller, the founder of TikSystems, who has been appointed CEO.  Roland reports to the Board of Mercator Asia which is comprised of Nigel Hopkins, Executive Vice President Service Departments Emirates Group and Patrick Naef, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Group IT.

About Mercator
Mercator is a global provider of business technology solutions, delivering corporate transformation, process improvement and return on investment to more than 100 customers in five continents.  The company also meets and satisfies the full range of the demanding IT needs of the main constituent parts of the Emirates Group - the award winning Emirates Airline and Dnata, the largest air travel services organisation in the Middle East.

Mercator's customers include major airlines such as AeroMexico, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Qantas, JetBlue, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, South African Airways, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan, Swiss International Airline, Groupo TACA and Westjet.

Mercator is a CMM1 level 3 certified organization  with ISO27001 and SAS70 certifications for its business process outsourcing operations.

Mercator employs more than 1,500 staff around the world.  Furthermore, strategic alliances with other international airline IT companies continue to help Mercator in its ambitious growth plans. www.mercator.com

About TIK Systems and tikAERO
TIK Systems (Thailand) Co., Ltd., was founded in Bangkok, Thailand in 1995 to provide software development, mainly in passenger service arena, for Swissair, Crossair and Austrian Airlines.  The company grew from a small start-up to a well-established company providing excellent services over 20 airline, travel and transportation, corporate travel, and cargo customers. 

Unlike other products on the market, the innovative tikAERO system is built on latest technology systems architectures using Microsoft Technologies, thereby enabling easy configuration, fast multi-language user interface changes and simplified end user training and support.  The true essence of the product is its ability to evolve with ever-changing business models, markets and passenger demands of any growing airline.

The package includes a modern end-to-end customer-centric airline management solution, including web booking engines for consumers, travel agencies, corporate accounts and mobile devices, as well as connectivity with all major Global Distribution Systems.  The system is fully IATA e-ticketing compliant, but can be equally adopted by non-IATA 'ticketless' low-cost airlines, therefore combining the best of distribution worlds.

Media contact: Caroline McComb, Corporate Communications, The Emirates Group. Tel: (+9714) 708 2306, Mob: (+97156) 684 8930. E-mail: caroline.mccomb@emirates.com.

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Dubai - Thursday, June 17, 2010 - Descartes Systems Group, a federated global logistics network, announced that Mercator, a global provider of business technology solutions for business transformation and process improvement, has joined Descartes' United by Design program to offer broader services to its airline and transportation industry air freight community around the world.

Mercator provides an integrated back-office air cargo management solution which frees cargo airlines from the restrictive ties of traditional legacy-based systems. Combined with Descartes' federated Global Logistics Network and value-added air messaging and electronic booking applications for the air freight industry, Mercator can now offer additional solutions to help automate and streamline the shipment process resulting in reduced costs and overall improved operational efficiency. These solutions include electronic logistics data interchange (EDI) messaging, electronic booking capability, Cargo 2000, customs filing and compliance solutions.
 
By federating the two organizations' logistics communities, the joint user base can now work together to continue to automate and standardize multi-party business processes for the air freight industry and share critical information to accelerate productivity improvements and cost savings. The alliance grows the connected community and accelerates potential implementation times, the rate of cost savings and productivity improvements for end users.

"We chose Descartes because it operates the largest logistics network servicing the air freight community. By federating with Descartes through the United by Design program, our joint customers gain value through pre-integrated networked air cargo solutions, a commitment to process improvement and automation for the freight industry," said Duncan Alexander, Vice President - Sales and Market Development for Mercator. "Together, Descartes and Mercator offer state-of-the-art networks combined with logistics technology to deliver results for our customers."

"Our mutual customers need, and are demanding, immediate results. They require hardware, software and networks to interoperate. Descartes' United by Design program seeks to facilitate this out-of-the-box functionality," said Jan Markill, Director EMEA at Descartes. "With our organizations working together, the United by Design program accelerates and redefines time-to-value for our customers."

Descartes' federated network combines the power of the Descartes Global Logistics Network (GLN), a community of over 22,000 companies in over 165 countries exchanging logistics information, and value-added applications working together to standardize and streamline multi-party business processes.

About Descartes
Descartes (TSX: DSG) (NASDAQ: DSGX) is making the world a better place by enabling global organizations with logistics-intensive businesses to save money by improving the productivity and performance of their operations. Underlying Descartes' offerings is the Descartes Global Logistics Network (GLN), one of the world's most extensive multi-modal business application networks. Descartes' logistics management solutions provide messaging services between logistics trading partners, shipment management services to help manage third party carriers, global customs filing and compliance services to meet regulatory requirements and private fleet management services for organizations of all sizes.  Descartes' solutions and services deliver results by enabling organizations around the world to reduce administrative costs, billing cycles, fleet size, contract carrier costs, and mileage driven; improve pickup and delivery reliability; and optimize working capital through fleet visibility.   Descartes' hosted, transactional and packaged solutions deliver repeatable, measurable results and fast time-to-value.  Descartes customers include an estimated 1,600 ground carriers and more than 90 airlines, 30 ocean carriers, 900 freight forwarders and third-party providers of logistics services, and hundreds of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, private fleet owners and regulatory agencies.  The company has more than 600 employees and is based in Waterloo, Ontario, with operations in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Copenhagen, Eindhoven, Gent,  Lier, Namestovo, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Montreal, Miami, Washington DC, Derby, London, Silver Spring, Stockholm, Suzhou, Shanghai, Tokyo, Toronto, Windsor, and Zilina. For more information, visit www.descartes.com.

For more information contact:

Nicole German
Descartes Systems Group
1-416-741-2838 ext. 298
ngerman@descartes.com

About Mercator
Mercator is a global provider of business technology solutions, delivering business transformation, process improvement and return on investment to more than 100 customers in five continents.  The company also meets and satisfies the full range of the demanding IT needs of the main constituent parts of the Emirates Group - the award winning Emirates Airline and Dnata, the largest air travel services organisation in the Middle East. Launched in October 1995, Mercator has witnessed a meteoric rise from a start-up initiative to global player in just a few short years.  Now a fully fledged worldwide provider of airline and airport solutions, it boasts contracts in five continents. Mercator's customers include major airlines such as AeroMexico, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Qantas, JetBlue, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, South African Airways, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan, Swiss International Airline, Groupo TACA and Westjet.
Through Mercator's vast experience in serving the IT requirements of these major organisations, it has developed an extensive portfolio of products encompassing airline financial solutions, air cargo and logistics solutions, passenger and airport solutions, airline business process outsourcing and airline business consultancy. Mercator employs more than 1,500 staff around the world.  Furthermore, strategic alliances with other international airline IT companies continue to help Mercator in its ambitious growth plans. For more information please visit www.mercator.com or contact Caroline McComb, Emirates Group Corporate Communications. Tel: (+9714) 708 2306, Mob: (+97156) 684 8930. E-mail: caroline.mccomb@emirates.com.

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Integration with Mercator's airline expertise, product portfolio and financial backing offers an exciting alternative for commercial airlines

Dubai, U.A.E., 15th June 2010: Mercator, the IT solutions provider of the Emirates Group and a global leader in business technology solutions for the airline and transportation industry, has today acquired the tikAERO passenger services system solution through TIK Systems.  With this acquisition Mercator will now offer world-class, fully functional, flexible and cost effective passenger service and distribution solutions to hybrid, regional, low-cost and start-up airlines worldwide.

Unlike other products on the market, the innovative tikAERO system is built on latest technology systems architectures using Microsoft Technologies, thereby enabling easy configuration, fast multi-language user interface changes and simplified end user training and support.  The true essence of the product is its ability to evolve with ever-changing business models, markets and passenger demands of any growing airline.

Patrick Naef, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Group IT, stated:  "Currently used by 19 airlines around the globe, tikAERO is better, smarter, faster and more efficient than anything on the market. It's built by staff with airline experience, for airlines.  It will help airlines to significantly lower costs by minimising distribution costs, increase their efficiency and lower training efforts. In today's market where airlines are posting significant losses, this product offers enticing rewards for cutting costs, increasing flexibility and improving long term economic efficiencies and overall net profits."

Roland Heller, Managing Director of TIK Systems explains: "This acquisition by Mercator will prove a winning formula for airlines seeking a competitive, cost-effective and integrated turn-key solution that includes electronic ticketing and which supports a wide range of distribution channels.  tikAERO customers will have an added value through Mercator's global reach and cutting edge technology and now with the backing of the Emirates Group, our team is really excited that the hard work and the full potential of the system will be realised".

Patrick Naef added: "This is a really exciting moment for the history of Mercator with our first major acquisition.  Our current passenger services portfolio, Jupiter, is rapidly creating a reputation for being one of the most complete and integrated solutions in the market for medium to large network carriers.  With the acquisition of tikAERO, we are now able to address a whole new segment of the market.  We can manage the needs of an entire airline community covering all shapes, sizes and business models. This strategic move underpins Emirates Group's commitment to further grow the Mercator business and to strengthen its position as one of the leading IT solution providers for the travel and transportation industry".

"Unlike legacy system implementations, we can offer a faster and more efficient implementation and customisation process providing cost benefits in terms of lower implementation fees and lower internal project-related costs for the carrier", said Naef.

With Mercator's already expansive global reach, wide range of consulting services and the ability to integrate existing products such as SkyChain air cargo management, RAPID revenue accounting and CRIS frequent flyer solution, this acquisition offers a unique choice of solutions and services across the airline industry.

The package includes a modern end-to-end customer-centric airline management solution, including web booking engines for consumers, travel agencies, corporate accounts and mobile devices, as well as connectivity with all major Global Distribution Systems.  The system is fully IATA e-ticketing compliant, but can be equally adopted by non-IATA 'ticketless' low-cost airlines, therefore combining the best of distribution worlds.

tikAERO integrates key functionality to efficiently manage airline passenger services. This includes applications for inventory management, multi-channel reservation, yield and revenue management, departure control, weight and balance, electronic ticketing, revenue accounting, code-share, interlining, crew management, flight control and real-time reporting to monitor business operations.

It has been specifically designed to suit hybrid environments and can be deployed much easier and faster than legacy passenger service solutions.  Hybrid functionality refers to an increasing sector of the airline market that is moving from a pure low-cost model to a model where there is limited distribution through global distribution systems, interline partnership agreements with airlines and the use of industry ticketing standards defined by the airline trade body IATA. 

This announcement follows the Emirates Group's recent posting of record profits for the 2009-10 period, up 248% from the previous year to AED 4.2 billion (US$ 1.1 billion). It is a strategic acquisition in direct response to need for a fully integrated, long-term passenger service solution that can be tailored specifically to any airline's requirements.

Mercator will establish a new office in Bangkok to which all TIK Systems' staff will transfer. This office will provide a new base for Mercator's product development. 

About Mercator

Mercator is a global provider of business technology solutions, delivering business transformation, process improvement and return on investment to more than 100 customers in five continents.  The company also meets and satisfies the full range of the demanding IT needs of the main constituent parts of the Emirates Group - the award winning Emirates Airline and Dnata, the largest air travel services organisation in the Middle East.

Launched in October 1995, Mercator has witnessed a meteoric rise from a start-up initiative to global player in just a few short years.  Now a fully fledged worldwide provider of airline and airport solutions, it boasts contracts in five continents.

Mercator's customers include major airlines such as AeroMexico, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Qantas, JetBlue, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, South African Airways, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan, Swiss International Airline, Groupo TACA and Westjet.

Through Mercator's vast experience in serving the IT requirements of these major organisations, it has developed an extensive portfolio of products encompassing airline financial solutions, air cargo and logistics solutions, passenger and airport solutions, airline business process outsourcing and airline business consultancy. Mercator's continuing mission is to establish itself as the professional IT services and business solutions provider of choice; trusted, valued and respected by the global airline community and commercial businesses in the Middle East.  Mercator achieves this by consistently meeting the individual needs of its customers through quality of product, service and delivery.

The secret of Mercator's success lies in its dedication to providing quality products with the added-value features demanded by today's airlines, while backing them up with excellent customer service.  The philosophy behind the development of these solutions ensures that each product adds significant value to customers by reducing costs, improving processes and increasing productivity. Mercator employs more than 1,500 staff around the world.  Furthermore, strategic alliances with other international airline IT companies continue to help Mercator in its ambitious growth plans. www.mercator.com

About TIK Systems

TIK Systems is an IT solution and service providers for the airline and travel and transportation industries. The company, TIK Systems (Thailand) Co., Ltd., was founded in Bangkok, Thailand in 1995 to provide software development, mainly in passenger service arena, for Swissair, Crossair and Austrian Airlines.

Over the years, TIK Systems has expanded its business operations into other markets by joining forces with companies in Europe and North America to serve a growing worldwide customer base. TIK Systems has grown from a small start-up to a well-established company ready to provide excellent services to our customers. TIK Systems is CMM Level 2 certified and has an experienced team of engineers and consultants. Its service areas cover airline, travel and transportation, corporate travel, as well as the air cargo industry.  TIK Systems also has business and support operations in Switzerland, the USA, Bolivia and Indonesia.

Media contact: Helen Ward, P R Manager, Emirates Group Corporate Communications.
Direct line: +9714 708 2144. Mobile: +971 50 950 8152
E-mail: helen.ward@emirates.com Visit: www.ekgroup.com/mediacentre

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