Leading Airlines Select SDL to Power Global Digital Transformation

Airline companies are turning to SDL (LSE:SDL) for help in transforming their digital footprint as they go global, and overcome the language challenges involved in engaging with consumers in new markets. 

Airline companies from across Europe, Asia and the U.S. have recently signed agreements for a variety of content management products and translation services from SDL. These new commitments represent the expansion of SDL’s role in supplying technology and services to the global airline industry.

Intense local competition, declining prices and heightened consumer expectations mean that airline companies need to continually provide customers with a rich, engaging experience that offers not just the best deals – but videos, forums and instant chat support. Providing the same consistent experience – but in the consumer’s local language – becomes even more challenging when expanding abroad. 

Over the past year, SDL’s language and content management technology has been selected by some of the top airline companies to address these complexities, including All Nippon Airways, China Airlines, flydubai and Vanilla Air. SDL already works with many of the world’s leading airline brands, including six of the top ten global airlines, and more than 40 top travel companies. 

Customer highlights include: 

• All Nippon Airways (ANA) chose SDL WorldServer to help support its global expansion plans, launching 25 websites (12 languages) across 46 countries by the end of 2016. 
• China Airlines launched 12 websites in 11 languages using SDL Web and SDL Language Services to manage and translate global content. The amount of traffic doubled, with conversion rates increasing by 90%. 

Supporting quotes: 

• “It took just 16 weeks from the start of the project to launch the China Airlines U.S. website,” said spokesperson from China Airlines’ Passenger Marketing Department. “This was made possible by SDL’s Digital Experience Accelerator. Following the launch, the amount of traffic doubled with conversion rates increasing by 90%.” 
• “Traditionally third party agencies would liaise directly with customers on their travel plans,” said Kevin Ashbridge, VP of Global Travel, SDL. “Now these airliners are connecting directly with consumers – regardless of location – in their own language, and device of choice. We’re delighted that our technology is helping them offer exceptional experiences regardless of any linguistic or cultural barriers.”