Microsoft and Emirates to set up Innovation Lab in Dubai

Dubai: Microsoft and Emirates said yesterday they would set up an Innovation Lab in Dubai to develop products and services for the travel industry using Microsoft's technologies and tapping Emirates' expertise and experience in developing IT solutions for the aviation and travel industry.

Both companies will invest in the project.

Microsoft will work with Emirates experts in the Dubai Innovation Lab, which will be among the first of its kind for both companies in this field. The lab will enable Emirates' IT division, Mercator, to incubate and develop creative solutions for airline and travel customers around the world, including Emirates. Mercator's IT solutions are used by more than 50 airlines globally.

Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group, and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding outlining the project in Dubai.

"Innovation has been a cornerstone of Emirates' success across our businesses. By working with technology leader Micro-soft to develop cutting-edge products and services, we are looking to reinforce our commanding position in the travel industry and continue to pioneer new ways to serve our customers better," Shaikh Ahmad said.

The lab will take Micro-soft technologies and apply them to the development of new ways of doing things across all parts of the travel and aviation industry - from reservations and check-in to cargo and ground handling systems.

"Emirates has established a powerful reputation as a dynamic, forward-thinking company, and this agreement will strengthen this reputation further," said Charbel Fakhoury, general manager of Microsoft Gulf. "By adopting these next-generation technologies, the airline is setting an important precedent. The Gulf region has a massive potential to contribute to the global development of technology-driven innovations, and Emirates is leading the way."

Through the innovation lab, Emirates and Microsoft will explore implementation of technologies based on Microsoft software and hardware as well as online services such as the Windows Live platform.