Ahmed Youssef (right), Regional Director Marketing and Operations, Amadeus MENA, received the trophy from Dr Kostas Iatrou, Managing Director of Air Transport News.

 Amadeus, a leading transaction processor and provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel and tourism industry, was given the 2012 Air Transport News award as Best IT Company of the year. Ahmed Youssef, Regional Director, Marketing and Operations, Amadeus Middle East & North Africa, picked up the trophy on behalf of Amadeus during the official ceremony held in Athens on Sunday, 4 March.

This recognition results from the publication’s readers’ votes over a month long period. Voters analysed the organisations’ contribution to the air transport sector, wishing to pay tribute to the best companies in the air transport industry which despite the unstable environment, have made headway and helped the industry to move forward.

Based on the votes and the verdict of a jury of internationally known industry experts, Amadeus won the 2012 ATN Award for IT Company of the Year.

Other category winners  included: Embraer ( regional aircraft manufacturer of the year), Airbus  (aircraft manufacturer of the year), Rolls Royce ( engine manufacturer of the year), Swissport (ground handler of the year), Lufthansa Technik ( Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul company of the year), Star Alliance ( airline alliance of the year), Singapore’s Changi airport ( airport of the year) and Emirates ( airline of the year).
 “This is a happy moment for Amadeus. Awards such as this one clearly confirm that the industry recognises that we are following the right strategy of offering the most innovative and effective solutions through sustained investments in R&D, where we have spent two billion Euros since 2004,” commented Ángel Gallego, Vice President , Western Europe, Middle East & Africa, at Amadeus.