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AirPlus, the award-winning business travel payment provider, closed a successful 2008 financial year with the settlement turnover of EUR 18.1 billion – 14 percent up on last year (EUR 15.9 billion). Earnings before taxes stepped up to EUR 20.2 million, and the positive results contributed to AirPlus taking the lead once again in the performance rankings. “We are very pleased about our operations in the past year, first and foremost because we achieved growth despite the recession that has reached a global scope,” stated AirPlus International’s Managing Director, Yael Klein. AirPlus experienced growth in all its markets and sectors in 2008. “The high demand for AirPlus’ know-how when it comes to solutions for business travel payment and analysis proves that, in addition to a global product range, the success can be attributed to our investments in innovation. That is why innovation will remain our focus of attention in the future,” said Ms Klein.
Last year, the number of transactions settled by AirPlus increased from 93 to 102 million. In addition, the number of commercial accounts rose to 1,048,000.
AirPlus activity highlights in 2008/09:
More than 100 new jobs created with innovation as the key focus. “In addition to extending our position in the international business travel markets, we created more than one hundred new jobs in the course of last year,” Ms Klein announced. AirPlus currently has 826 employees worldwide. Ms Klein highlighted that AirPlus has been a pioneer with its innovations since its foundation in 1989 and therefore, has been the engine of the business travel industry. Part of its accomplishment in 2008 was the introduction of the world’s first lodged payment solution in China. “The positive performance in 2008 does not display short-term success – it is the result of a long-term business strategy,” Ms Klein emphasised and announced that AirPlus is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year by introducing new cost-efficient solutions for its customers.
AirPlus launches a Savings Initiative to improve efficiency in travel management Against the backdrop of a declining global economy, AirPlus has launched a savings programme to help its customers tap into additional savings potential in their daily business travel management. “In difficult economic times, optimising processes and becoming acutely aware of cost-reduction opportunities is vital. As travel budgets are getting cut, this is the only way to maintain the necessary level of business travel that companies rely on,” Ms Klein explained. AirPlus’ new Savings Initiative aims to help companies save both direct and indirect business travel costs. The main part of the savings programme is the AirPlus Savings Tracker which analyses travel data through various expense reports and makes practical recommendations on additional savings potential. In addition, the special AirPlus Savings Calculator demonstrates the amount customers can save by implementing smarter payment and analysis solutions.
AirPlus has commenced self-issuing its corporate cards for on-the-road expenses in response to market changes and commitment to innovation. More than 27 million MasterCard merchants in over 240 countries worldwide accept the new AirPlus Corporate Cards and together with AirPlus’ dedicated local customer service and invaluable online administration tool, they complete AirPlus’ comprehensive payment solution for business travel. The introduction of the new AirPlus Corporate Cards in the face of the current economic downturn only serves to reinforce AirPlus’ leading position as the UK’s market leader in integrated payment and MIS solutions, both in terms of service and ability to realise customers’ full savings potential. The new self-issued AirPlus Corporate Cards have received considerable acclaim, with 40 customers rolling out the product before its official launch in February 2009.
Since AirPlus introduced the new generation of its management information system (MIS) for travel expenses, corporations have benefitted from its enhanced functionalities and intuitive interface, powered by high quality MIS data. Featuring a fresh new “look and feel”, the new AirPlus Information Manager consolidates all incurred business travel expenses and presents the analysis in a clear and concise manner. The reports enable the users to drill down to individual components of their overall travel spend, providing customers the optimal basis for negotiations with suppliers, i.e. airlines and hotels. For instance, the reports facilitate an evaluation on individual hotels based on the allocation of spend and annual expenditure comparisons. This data equips the travel managers with the knowledge required to control the purchasing of the accommodation in a more cost effective manner. The success story continues for AirPlus’ analysis and reporting tool that has been one of the leading information systems in business travel management ever since its introduction to the market.
AirPlus continues to win the highest accolades for its innovative solutions Through its innovative solutions, AirPlus has set new benchmarks in 2008, receiving international acclaim. For the second year in a row, AirPlus has been awarded as the “Best Corporate Card Provider 2009” at the Buying Business Travel Diamond Awards – one of UK’s most prestigious award ceremonies in BTM. The recognition as the leading corporate (lodge) card provider was received by the industry buyers, managers and arrangers, who make up the readership of the Buying Business Travel magazine.
Most recently in Germany, the AirPlus carbon-offset solution gained new recognition with the “Best Practice Award 2009” awarded by the prestigious German Travel Industry Club. The feature allows corporate travellers to offset their carbon emissions for all flights purchased with the AirPlus Company Account – a payment industry first! In addition, the award-winning payment provider has been distinguished as “Germany’s most Customer-oriented Service Provider” and ranked among the top three financial-service providers in the country.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
