eGate Solutions Acquires Abanco's Onboard Retail Technology to Improve Speed, Capability and Customer Focus

ZURICH, November 6 /PRNewswire/ --

Having the right technology is a key success factor in managing onboard
retail projects. Airlines, railways and ferry operators worldwide can now
operate more powerful, flexible and secure sales programs by partnering with
gategroup member eGate Solutions(TM).

eGate Solutions, the global provider of software and services for onboard
service management, has expanded its service offering through gategroup's
purchase of Schaumburg, Ill.-based Abanco LLC's assets and related software
dedicated to the onboard retail environment. Terms of the transaction were
not disclosed. gategroup previously had offered the technology through a
partnership with Abanco.

The addition of Abanco's wireless electronic point-of-sale (ePOS)
technology complements eGate Solutions' signature InFlight Exchange (IFX)(R)
suite of business applications. The ePOS device has a robust onboard payment
processing system for credit card, cash or smartcard transactions, combining
an easy-to-use hand-held terminal with the latest in onboard sales
technology. Formerly known as SkyBuy, it will now be offered as eGate
Solutions TS4.

Powered by a separate wireless communications network, the eGate
Solutions TS4 device processes transactions securely and meets the highest
security levels required by Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
This means customers are protected by a CISP-certified, PCI Level 1 Service
Provider operating environment.

Operating like a mobile cash register, the eGate Solutions TS4 ePOS
device features a barcode scanner and thermal printer and can reconcile
real-time sales to inventory, reducing shrinkage. It also can be programmed
to identify passengers' buying trends, among other reporting functions.

Additionally, members of Abanco's professional and dedicated work force
will join the eGate Solutions team to provide ongoing development and
customer support to TS4 users. eGate Solutions offers 24-hour, 365-day
support to quickly respond to immediate needs.

"For our customers, the eGate Solutions TS4 is about so much more than
accepting payment for products and services. It's the catalyst to help
customers generate additional revenue while giving them greater potential
benefits as they grow their onboard programs," said gategroup CEO Guy Dubois.

eGate Solutions offers three distinct software and support options. The
first is an onboard sales and payment processing system that helps air, rail
or sea transportation providers facilitate the sale of physical products and
virtual products, such as airport transfer tickets and theme park passes,
while also tracking sales, inventory and revenue. Another option includes a
complete suite of back-end solutions, offering customers sophisticated
reporting tools to support trend analyses, merchandising and promotions,
inventory management, and other services. A third is specifically designed
for railroad companies and commuter rail operators: It streamlines onboard
ticket sales and ticket validation, tracks sales and inventory, and reduces
fraud.

The transition will be seamless for existing customers, some of whom are
using the eGate Solutions TS4 solution to sell ground travel, entertainment
packages or shows, and even lottery tickets, in addition to food, beverages,
duty-free goods and other tangible onboard retail items.

"This acquisition strengthens gategroup's service offering by giving our
customers more functionality and control over their onboard sales initiatives
and their passengers a wide selection of items to choose from," said Andy
Case, Group VP and head of eGate Solutions.

"As our sister brands Gate Gourmet, Pourshins and Supplair collaborate
with customers to design onboard retail programs, eGate Solutions will
continue to further enhance the software capabilities to meet the evolving
demands of this expanding industry trend. We are committed to working closely
with our customers to turn their onboard retail technology requirements into
reality."

About eGate Solutions

eGate Solutions(TM) is a globally recognized provider of software and
services for in-flight service management. A gategroup member, eGate
Solutions was formed from the alignment of e-gatematrix, llc, with Gate
Gourmet in 2006. eGate Solutions has offices located in Atlanta, London,
Reston, Va., Sydney, and Zurich. Visit www.egate-solutions.com for more
information.

About gategroup

gategroup is the leading independent global provider of onboard products
and services to companies that serve people on the move. Shares of
Zurich-based gategroup are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the symbol
GATE. Please visit www.gategroup.com.