Dépêches

AeroMechanical Services Ltd. and GuestLogix Inc. sign sales partnership agreement to enable real-time credit and debit card transactions during flights

Dépèche transmise le 9 octobre 2009 par Business Wire

CALGARY, Alberta & TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroMechanical Services Ltd. (TSX-V: AMA) (“AMA”) and GuestLogix Inc. (TSX-V: GXI) (“GuestLogix”) today announced they have entered into an agreement under which they will jointly sell their airline technology solutions to enable airline customers to process real-time credit and debit card transactions during flights.

The joint sales agreement lays the foundation for the future integration of GuestLogix’ onboard retail transaction platform with AMA’s real-time global connectivity solutions for airlines. With integration complete, customers will be able to validate and process credit and debit card transactions in real time, while in-flight. This will enable airlines to sell higher valued products and services onboard while reducing credit card fraud risk and offering more merchandising variety to enhance the passenger experience.

Bill Tempany, CEO of AMA, stated: “This is an excellent example of the additional services we can offer our global carriers to leverage their existing air-to-ground data communications capability which we have provided. GuestLogix provides the world’s leading onboard retail technology that delivers new benefits by allowing our customers to easily engage in onboard retailing activities to create new and more profitable revenues.”

The two firms are focusing on the Asia Pacific region where AMA has customers currently and GuestLogix has established new sales and support presence. The GuestLogix onboard Point-of-Sale handhelds have recently received certification from China Unionpay, the bankcard association established under the approval of the State Council and the People’s Republic of China, to facilitate credit card sales onboard flights throughout China and other regions.

Tom Douramakos, President and CEO of GuestLogix, said: "We are pleased to be partnering with AMA to take advantage of our real-time transaction processing capability and local country certification for credit card payments. Onboard retailing, in the form of duty-free and catalog shopping, is very prevalent on Asian airlines, resulting in a much higher average value of in-flight sales compared to other regions. Low cost airlines are also becoming prominent where passengers pay for a la carte services. With continued projected growth in passenger trips in the region, Asia Pacific has become strategic for our long-term growth and we look forward to working with AMA to deliver new value to airline customers in the region.”

Geneva-based International Air Transport Association had estimated in December the industry would lose US$2.5 billion in 2009. Asia-Pacific carriers will continue to be hardest hit by global economic turmoil and are expected to post losses of $1.7 billion, against the earlier forecast loss of US$1.1 billion in 2009. While this forecast appears to be hitting bottom, airline manufacturers have become optimistic about the region’s long-term prospects. According to Boeing, the Asia Pacific region will be the world’s largest aviation market over the next 20 years. The area currently accounts for more than 8,300 flights and 1.2 million passengers daily.

About GuestLogix

GuestLogix is the leading provider of onboard retail technology and solutions to the passenger travel industry. Through its industry standard onboard transaction processing engine, the Company provides carriers the tools to become successful onboard retailers and by way of its OnTouch^TM merchandising platform it facilitates innovative products and services to enhance passenger experience and propel ancillary revenue growth. With a customer base comprising 9 of the top 11 global airlines GuestLogix maintains contracts to serve more than 35 per cent of the world airline passenger traffic via its proprietary platform based on the 2008 passenger data compiled by Air Transport Intelligence (ATI). Additional information on the Company can be found at guestlogix.com and ontouch.com.

About AeroMechanical Services

AeroMechanical Services Ltd. provides proprietary technological solutions and services designed to reduce costs and improve efficiencies in the aviation industry. The company has successfully commercialized three products and associated services currently marketed to airlines, manufacturers and maintenance organizations around the world. Its premier technology, afirs™ UpTime™, FIRST^TM and FLYHTstream™ allows airlines to monitor and manage aircraft operations anywhere, anytime, in real-time. For more information please visit www.amscanada.com.

© 2009 AeroMechanical Services Ltd.. All Rights Reserved. afirs, UpTime, FLYHT and aeroQ are trade marks of AeroMechanical Services Ltd. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations, which involve risks and uncertainties associated with AMA’s business and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect AMA’s current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including the matters discussed under "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Filing Statement filed on August 6, 2009 with the regulatory authorities. GuestLogix assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.