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- Dubai 04:26 05:44 12:20 15:47 18:50 20:08
(From left) Martin Jetter, Senior Vice President, IBM Global Technology Services; Hareb Al Muhairy, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President Corporate and International Affairs; and Robert Webb, Etihad Airways’ Chief Information and Technology Officer; at the agreement signing (Supplied)
Etihad Airways and IBM today announced a 10-year technology services agreement worth approximately $700 million (Dh2.57 billion) which will allow the airline to enhance guest experience, develop world-class infrastructure and security, and improve efficiency.
The agreement will provide access to the latest cloud-based technologies and services for the airline, its group companies and equity partners.
IBM will deliver a range of secure and efficient technology services, allowing Etihad Airways and its partners to transform their IT infrastructure into global, flexible and agile cloud-based platforms to better serve their guests and employees.
The agreement includes plans for the creation of a new cloud data centre in Abu Dhabi. The centre, to be developed and operated by IBM, will be one of the most sophisticated technology facilities in the Middle East.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is a long-term, strategic partnership which will allow Etihad Airways and its partners to harness the latest technologies. This is a game-changing agreement for Etihad Airways, for our partners and employees, and for Abu Dhabi.”
IBM and Etihad will create a joint technology and innovation council in Abu Dhabi to develop more personalised travel solutions using IBM’s global research capabilities and the airline’s industry expertise.
The council will focus on value creation for Etihad Airways and its guests, as well as bringing technological innovation and benefits to Abu Dhabi and its people.
Etihad Airways’ current data centre, IT infrastructure, applications and security operations will be migrated to the new data centre in Abu Dhabi, and disaster recovery will be managed at an IBM Cloud data centre in Europe. This approach will allow the airline to scale and manage its IT resources more efficiently, while ensuring business continuity.
As part of the agreement, around 100 Etihad Airways information technology employees will transition to IBM, where they will have access to further IT skills development opportunities. IBM will manage the entire data centre operation, including individual infrastructure services and IT helpdesk for Etihad Airways.
The collaboration provides a global framework for technology service delivery for Etihad Airways and its Etihad Airways Partner airlines, including Alitalia, airberlin, Jet Airways, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles and Etihad Regional.
The agreement was signed at the end of September 2015.
Etihad Airways, one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, carried 14.8 million passengers in 2014, and serves 113 passenger and cargo destinations.
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