Distribution
Amadeus enabled the "world's first" interline Electronic Miscellaneous Document, via a link between EgyptAir and Finnair.
EMD
is the document standard that airlines and billing settlement plans have
created to enable the sale of optional services or merchandizing. "The
application of EMD to interline partnerships means that participating airlines
can now facilitate payment for and delivery of ancillary services across their
partnerships and alliances," according to Amadeus. "Amadeus estimates
that up to 20 percent of air bookings made through its system are the result of
interline partnerships, representing a huge opportunity for airlines to
increase revenues through the sale of ancillary services via their partner
carriers." With the interline connection, "customers can now buy
ancillary services across interline flights, safe in the knowledge that the
operating airline will know the service has been purchased. Previously, the
only way the operating airline would know a customer had purchased an ancillary
service, such as extra baggage allowance, was through a paper document provided
by the traveler at the airport."