Next-generation technology is now providing the power behind SeaPort Airlines, the Portland, Oregon-based regional airline which recently completed its successful migration to the Amadeus Altéa portfolio of airline IT solutions. The company’s first flight using the new system was operated between Memphis and Jackson, Tenn., on Sunday, March 23rd.
 “The Altéa technology platform is a cornerstone of SeaPort’s strategy to provide global connectivity to small and mid-size cities across the United States,” said Rob McKinney, President of SeaPort Airlines. “This migration could not have been achieved so quickly and effectively without the teamwork and dedication of SeaPort employees and the exceptional support we received from our partners at Amadeus.”
 The agreement between Amadeus and SeaPort Airlines to adopt the Amadeus Altéa portfolio was first announced in October 2013 and includes IT solutions for reservation, ticketing, inventory, e-commerce, and departure control.
 “Our partnership with SeaPort truly showcases Amadeus’ commitment and ability to provide any airline with customizable, state-of-the-art technology that helps them enhance the travel experience for passengers while also empowering them to grow and achieve their business objectives,” said Scott Gutz, president and CEO, Amadeus.
SeaPort chose Altéa because, among many other features, the system allows the carrier to offer the full benefit of interline agreements, including display of interline partner destinations and connecting itineraries for purchase on its website, single ticket itineraries, and through baggage check-in for connecting flights on interline partners. The first of those agreements, with Alaska Airlines, became active on cutover to the new system.
 “All of us at SeaPort Airlines are extremely proud to have Alaska Airlines as our first interline partner. Alaska’s commitment to customer service and growing network will provide our customers with great connecting opportunities,” said McKinney. The two carrier’s route systems presently connect at Juneau, Portland, San Diego, and Kansas City.  Alaska Airlines provides nonstop service to 43 destinations from Portland International Airport (PDX) and 15 destinations from San Diego (SAN).
 With the cutover to Altéa complete, SeaPort anticipates a second interline agreement with a major U.S. airline will become effective this summer and is having discussions with other airlines for subsequent agreements.
 SeaPort and Amadeus are already working on secondary implementations of the Altéa system that will include online changes to reservations, automated customer SMS and email notification of schedule changes, and online changes to reservations.
“All of these investments underscore our commitment to the company’s core value of ‘Forward Thinking’ and the use technology and innovation to provide our customers with the best possible experience and our employee team with the most advanced tools,” said McKinney.
SeaPort Airlines, Inc. provides service to 21 cities in nine U.S. states, including operations in Southeast Alaska that are branded as “Wings of Alaska.” The company’s 220 employees operate an average of 100 daily departures from bases at Portland, San Diego, Memphis, and Juneau. The carrier will add service to Great Bend and Wichita in May 2014, and plans to apply for authority to begin Mexico service in late 2014.