SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 425
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act of 1933
AVIATION GROUP, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TEXAS O-10124 75-2631373
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(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
700 N. Pearl Street, Suite 2170
Dallas, Texas 75201
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (214) 922-8100.
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Set forth below is the text of the Press Release dated November 9, 2000.
travelbyus Announces Letter of Intent With Amadeus
GDS To Take Strategic Equity Investment
White Rock, B.C., November 09, 2000 - travelbyus.com, Ltd., a vertically
integrated travel company, announced today that they have signed a letter of
intent with Amadeus, a leading global distribution system (GDS), by which
Amadeus will make a strategic equity investment in travelbyus.
Amadeus, which is also a leading technology provider serving the marketing,
sales, and distribution needs of the world's travel and tourism industries, will
purchase a significant equity capital in travelbyus. In return for this minority
ownership position, an Amadeus representative will join the travelbyus board of
directors.
"Amadeus' global presence, travel industry relationships, and financial strength
will enable travelbyus to dramatically accelerate its business model and compete
on a world stage," said travelbyus CEO Bill Kerby.
Additionally Kerby said that as part of this new agreement, travelbyus will
become a "value-added reseller" of integrated products and marketing services to
travel agents from travelbyus combined with Amadeus GDS services. This will be a
significant change in the way that consortia offer products and services to
agencies and will enhance its overall value.
This new agreement intensifies collaboration between the two companies who have
worked together since August 1999, with the integration of Amadeus' booking
technology into travelbyus' web site. Closing of the transaction is subject to
final terms, regulatory clearance and Board approvals.
Bricks-and-Mortar Travel Agencies Benefit From Partnership
travelbyus is dedicated to becoming the world's leading, fully integrated travel
network, one that creates value by providing more information, greater
convenience, and superior service. Amadeus is committed to ensuring a strong
presence in the online travel segment with deals that build content, portal
access and technology enhancements, which benefit travel agencies.
"travelbyus is one of the first North American travel companies to achieve true
vertical integration. Their business model proves that travel agents play a key
role in using travelbyus technology and marketing capabilities to promote
preferred-supplier products," said David V. Jones, Executive Vice President,
Commercial, for Amadeus. "Our investment in travelbyus demonstrates Amadeus'
commitment to technology solutions that help the travel agent compete in the
highly competitive e-marketplace."
Jones said that a global distribution system like Amadeus has a key role in
ensuring that the distribution chain itself remains strong, especially "with so
many new players entering the travel distribution channel."
"The travel agency is still very much a vital link in the distribution chain.
Consortia, like travelbyus, are representative of the innovative evolution of
the travel agency model," said Jones. "The consortia marketplace, with its
successful formula for consolidating and channeling agent distribution of
provider products and services is certainly an attractive and relevant
investment for Amadeus."
travelbyus.com
travelbyus.com (Toronto Stock Exchange: TBU; Frankfurt Stock Exchange: TVB)
leverages advanced technology and a superior distribution system serving both
the travel agent and the consumer with the right product to the right customer
at the right time. The acquisition of GalaxSea Cruises, Cruise Shoppes of
America, BTS Cruises, CheapSeats, Mr. Cheaps and the management of Global
Leisure Companies Hawaii Leisure, and Sunmakers give travelbyus.com access to
the widest range of air/land inclusive packages, discounted air fares, and
discounts with every major cruise line.
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travelbyus.com has partnered with some of the most respected names in the
industry to gain access to top-flight products and travel packages, new
distribution channels, and the technology that enables the company to bring it
all to market. More than 2,000 travel agency locations will become the main
distribution channel for travelbyus.com products to 20 million consumers. The
company's 800-i-travel call center together with the booming marketplace for
online travel completes the cornerstone of the travelbyus business model:
"Click.Call.Come in." Additional information about travelbyus is available at
travelbyus.com.
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Contacts:
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travelbyus contact: Peter Rooney
Tel: (905)475-5111
Email: [email protected]
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Press Contacts: North America: Barry S. Kaplan
-------------- Telephone: (732) 747-0702
E-Mail: [email protected]
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Europe: Christopher Bruening
Telephone: 49 61 96 88 00 210
E-Mail: [email protected]
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