airberlin Opts for Wirecard Payment Processing Solution

MUNICH, June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Experience in Processing International Airline Payments a Deciding Factor  

- Speedy, Comprehensive Tailoring to Meet Customer's Specific Requirements

airberlin decides in favor of Wirecard AG. With roughly 34 million passengers per annum, airberlin is the sixth largest European airline. In addition to technical payment processing, Wirecard Bank will also perform part of the acquiring business.

In the wake of having forged ahead with extending its network of routes, its joining the oneworld alliance as well as its switch to the Amadeus flight reservation system, airberlin was looking for a specialized payment service provider with global expertise in the international airline segment. At the same time, the automation of back-office processes has achieved cost efficiency.

Ulf Gedamke, Head of Asset & Finance Management at airberlin, said, "Our requirements in terms of flexibility and expertise are very high with our internationalization forging ahead so rapidly. Wirecard is highly experienced in the airline sector and has all the necessary interfaces with the relevant booking and settlement systems."

Jörg Möller, Executive VP Travel & Transportation at Wirecard AG, added, "We're convinced of our ability to support airberlin with its strategy since we have a unique portfolio of services we offer in the market, particularly for the airline industry."      

About airberlin:

airberlin is Germany's second largest airline. The company has a workforce of 8,900 employees. In the year 2010 alone, airberlin won more than 10 awards for service and quality. The fleet comprises 170 aircraft with an average age of five years, making it one of the most modern fleets in Europe. The airline's state-of-the-art jets are highly fuel efficient, which contributes toward a long-term reduction in pollution emissions from air traffic. As one of the major European airlines, airberlin currently flies to 163 destinations in 39 countries. airberlin has signed up for membership of the global airline alliance oneworld® and is expected to become a full member at the start of 2012. airberlin has been offering flights under codeshare agreements with American Airlines and Finnair since November 2010.

http://www.airberlin.com

About Wirecard:

Wirecard AG is one of the leading international providers of electronic payment and risk management solutions. Worldwide, the Wirecard Group supports more than 12,000 companies from various industry segments in automating their payment processes and minimizing cases of default. Wirecard Bank AG is a Principal Member of Visa, MasterCard and JCB and operates as a credit card acquirer in 69 countries around the world, involving over 100 transaction currencies and 15 payout currencies. As part of the Wirecard Group, Wirecard Bank provides innovative solutions in the fields of corporate banking, prepaid and co-branded cards, along with account products for both business and private customers.  

Wirecard AG is listed on the Frankfurt Securities Exchange (TecDAX, ISIN DE0007472060, WDI).

http://www.wirecard.com  |  http://www.wirecardbank.com  |  http://www.mywirecard.com

Wirecard media contacts:

Wirecard AG
Iris Stöckl
Einsteinring 35
D-85609 Aschheim, Germany
Tel.:  +49(0)89-4424-1424
Fax:  +49(0)89-4424-2424
E-mail: iris.stoeckl@wirecard.com
Internet: http://www.wirecard.de

airberlin media contact:

Air Berlin PLC & Co. Luftverkehrs KG    
Uwe Berlinghoff    
Saatwinkler Damm 42-43    
D-13627 Berlin    
Tel.:  +49(0)30-3434-1500      
Fax:  +49(0)30-3434-1509      
E-mail: abpresse@airberlin.com    
Internet: http://www.airberlin.com