MADRID — Air bookings for Amadeus-connected travel agencies totalled 295.2 million for the first half of 2017, a 5.7% jump that outperformed GDS industry growth of 4.3%, according to Amadeus.

“The positive performance of our Distribution segment was supported by growth in travel agency air bookings. These increased across all regions, which contributed to an increase in our travel agency air competitive position of 0.5 percentage points, to 43.6%.

Amadeus says that while Latin America and Asia and Pacific continue to be its fastest-growing regions, increasing 14.7% and 10% respectively, out of North America the GDS saw 52.5 million bookings, representing close to 18% of Amadeus’ global market, and a 6.9% rise compared to the first half of 2016.

In the first half of 2017 Amadeus signed 21 new contracts or renewals of content agreements, including WestJet Airlines and Korean Air. Subscribers to Amadeus’ inventory can now access 100+ low cost carriers and hybrid carriers’ content worldwide.

At the close of June, 130 airlines had signed up to Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services for the indirect channel, including Malaysia Airlines and Middle East Airlines in the second quarter of 2017.
Amadeus’ adjusted profit for the first half of 2017 was $842 million, an increase of 16.1% compared to the same period last year.

From January to June, Amadeus’ revenue grew 9.5%, to $3,656 million. The number of passengers boarded through Amadeus-enabled bookings increased 19.8% to 753.4 million.

“Amadeus’ progression in the first half of the year was positive,” said Amadeus President & CEO Luis Maroto. “Our Distribution segment continued to grow ahead of the industry, which allowed us to improve our competitive position. In IT Solutions, we had important migrations that have contributed to the expansion of our international footprint. In the first half of the year 56.8% of our passengers boarded were generated outside of Europe.”