NIIT Technologies wins multi-year contract from British Airways, to focus on travel, transport and retail segments

The contract is one of the largest ever deals to be signed by NIIT Technologies within the UK airlines industry and follows a 12-year old relationship between the two companies.

"NIIT Technologies has built on its reputation in the airline sector for providing efficiencies and savings through outsourcing by continuing to demonstrate expertise, experience and commitment towards their client's success. The organization aids clients become more competitive by supplying a premium service," the tech major said in a statement.

The deal comes at a time when the airline industry, hit by rising fuel prices, dwindling sales and credit crunch, are looking at all possible options to cut down on costs. British Airways has also undertaken a cost cutting exercise with their global partners to reduce costs and maintain competitiveness.

"We are extremely pleased to continue our long term partnership with NIIT Technologies. They have proven to be a flexible reliable partner evolving with our business and the technology trends within the airline industry," said Mike Doyle, manager (IT applications support), British Airways.

"We are proud that BA has continued to repose their faith and commitment in NIIT Technologies. NIIT is committed to working in partnership with BA towards their success and has demonstrated that for over 12 years," said Ravi Pandey, UK head, NIIT Technologies.

"Our focus through specialization in the travel and transport industry has differentiated the company. This has lead to a growing base of satisfied clients like BA. The recent No.1 ranking in the Black Book of Outsourcing 2008 in the Travel Industry survey confirms NIIT as a global leader in this sector. We aim to deliver world class service for all our clients," Pandey said.

Recently, the firm said it is trying to push up revenues from its travel, financial services and retail sectors to over 90 percent from the present 80 percent.

According to NIIT Technologies CEO Arvind Thakur, due to the slowdown in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) segment, the firm is focusing on growth in travel and retail segments.

On Tuesday, NIIT Technologies had won a contract from Cathay Pacific Airways for the development of a warehouse operating system for its new cargo terminal at Hong Kong International Airport.

"We are sharply focused on the travel and transport segment and these wins have positioned us well and given us good visibility," Thakur said, adding it would add to the revenues from this segment.

Presently, BFSI segment accounts for about 42 percent of NIIT Technologies' revenues while the travel and transport segment contributes to 28 percent of its revenues.

ABOUT NIIT TECHNOLOGIES

NIIT Technologies is a leading IT solutions firm, servicing customers in North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and Australia, apart from India.

It offers services in application development and maintenance, enterprise solutions including managed services and business process management to organizations in the financial services, transportation, retail, manufacturing and government sectors.