Etihad Airways Signs $700M Technology Services, Cloud Agreement with IBM

Etihad Airways and IBM

today announced a ten-year technology services agreement worth approximately US$700 million. This will allow the airline to enhance guest experience, develop world-class infrastructure and security, and improve efficiency. The transformational agreement, one of the most important strategic collaborations by Etihad Airways, will provide access to the latest cloud-based technologies and services for the airline, its group companies and equity partners. Etihad Airways, one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, carried 14.8 million passengers in 2014, and serves 113 passenger and cargo destinations. IBM will deliver a range of secure and efficient technology services, allowing Etihad Airways and its partners to transform their IT infrastructure into global, flexible and agile cloud-based platforms to better serve their guests and employees. The agreement includes plans for the creation of a new cloud data center in Abu Dhabi. The center, to be developed and operated by IBM, will be one of the most sophisticated technology facilities in the Middle East. James Hogan, Etihad Airways' President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "This is