LONDON and BELLEVUE, Wash., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Expedia, Inc.(NASDAQ: EXPE), the world´s leading online travel company, today announced a new multi-year, global agreement with SAS Scandinavian Airlines, the largest listed airline and travel group in the Nordic countries. Under the agreement, SAS products and fares will be available worldwide on Expedia®- branded sites, and through Egencia™ (formerly Expedia Corporate Travel). The deal is an extension of the existing relationship between Expedia and SAS and marks SAS´s first global agreement with an online travel company.
"Expedia is really pleased to be working with SAS in helping their business continue to thrive even in these uncertain economic times," said Wes Peterson, vice president of EMEA Transport and Tour, Expedia. "Expedia is known for its vast global customer base, yet the cornerstone of our success in Europe and beyond is in the way we collaborate with airline partners like SAS to meet the unique regional needs of their business."
In addition to the online travel distribution expertise and marketing support Expedia will provide SAS, the airline will garner media value from display ads and search placement throughout the Expedia network. For this, SAS is working closely with Expedia Media Solutions Group, which is responsible for helping travel and non-travel brands target their message to the more than 60 million unique users that visit Expedia sites worldwide each month.
"SAS is very pleased to have closed this global agreement," said Marie-Louise Kjellstrom, vice president, Global Corporate Sales, SAS Airline Commercial. "Through this relationship, we have been able to align our strategic goals on a global scale, while maintaining the benefits of Expedia and SAS´ strong account management at the local and regional levels."
