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		back to Press releases OPODO OFFICIALLY OPENS FOR BUSINESS IN THE UK London, 22 January 2002 Independent research by NOP confirms that opodo.co.uk is cheaper than the UK average online fare for 85% of top destinations from the UK* Opodo, the new online travel company, backed by nine of Europe's leading airlines, today launched its UK site - opodo.co.uk - offering an extensive choice of special low Opodo fares for UK travellers. As the only European online travel site to be backed by nine of Europe's leading airlines - Aer Lingus, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa and Amadeus, Opodo expects to have some of the lowest fares in the market, and become the market leader in online travel by 2004. Opodo launches in the UK with some exciting research findings. Independent research by NOP confirmed that Opodo is the best place to go on the Internet to get great value prices. Opodo.co.uk is cheaper than the UK average online fare for 85% of top destinations from the UK (Source: NOP January 2002) When compared to other online travel sites, the Opodo price beat or matched the cheapest fare in the market 70% of the time (Source: NOP Jan 2002) According to Opodo CEO Giovanni Bisignani, "Travellers in the UK are looking for great fares and this NOP research confirms that Opodo will be offering some of the best deals in the UK market. Our infrastructure will provide airlines with a low-cost distribution channel as means in which to fill seats, so it really is a win-win situation. The airlines win by having a new cost-effective vehicle to move inventory, UK travellers win through Opodo's quick and easy-to-use site and ability to secure new and low offers for our customers." Opodo is launching at a key time to capitalise on a major growth in the UK online travel market. Web-based leisure travel sales are set to increase in value from £1billion to over £6billion within the next five years**. "This really is an important time for Opodo to launch in the UK", said Mr Bisignani,"Over the past months, as consumer confidence in flying has returned, the Internet has proven to be the ideal channel for airlines to push fares and get people flying again. Online travel is now a mature market and we are entering a period when a new generation of consumers will be looking to the web as the answer to their travel needs. Opodo will set a new standard in the online-travel industry, offering great fares, excellent 24/7 customer service provided by travel experts, and an easy-to-use, tailor-made for the UK, web site" Opodo is launching in UK with: Over 350,000 net fares from over 45 airline partners 80% of available scheduled air capacity in the British market Over 480 airlines, 54,000 hotels and 23,000 car hire locations 24 hour customer service 7 days a week Over 30,000 pages of content to over 1300 destinations Opodo launched its first site in Germany in December 2001 and following the UK, will launch in France during Q2 2002, and throughout Europe during 2002 and beyond. For more details see www.opodo.co.uk Media contact: Gail Gillogaley / Gina Rolfe Jenny Varley / Jo Hardacre Opodo Corporate Communications Maclaurin PR Tel: 020 7664 7930 Tel: 020 7471 6893 Fax:020 7664 6363 Fax: 020 7371 4099 Email: gina.rolfe@opodo.co.uk Email: jenny.varley@maclaurin.com Notes to editors Key features of Opodo.co.uk are: 30,000 pages of useful expert information integrated with special fares covering 1,300 destinations, including interactive maps, guides and daily weather updates - all on an easy to view and use site - covering more than 80 per cent available capacity in every market Can book and fly the same day Reserve flights for up to 24 hours Don't have to register to use Can request your preferred seat on booking Advanced search capability - by destination or holiday themes Hundreds of thousands of maps to find specific locations anywhere in the world Guides to 180 of the world's busiest airports Quick search tool gives time-sensitive consumers speedy access straight to booking Explore the World - provides consumers with the tools and inspiration Highlights 10,000 key tourist attractions around the world Superior Customer Service Opodo will set new levels in customer care and attention. Real travel experts on hand to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week to offer advice and information We openly show our customer service contact details and welcome calls For the UK, our customer centre is based in Leicester to provide local insight No time limits on providing the advice you need Gain advice by communications from phone, post, email, facsimile plus special call back service State of the art technology Opodo's has built its own technology platform to limit site and traffic problems - making it quick, easy and reliable Research * NOP Survey January 2002 ** Forrester June 2001 Further Information: Opodo News Team Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 7804 email: pr@opodo.com  Download > English Opodo is owned by: Aer Lingus, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa and Amadeus Copyright Opodo 2005