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Groundbreaking Microsoft Development Provides Users Access to Instant Flight Information 31  May  2001

(Oak Brook, IL – May 31, 2001) – Millions of travelers will soon have a powerful new tool to access instant worldwide flight information, thanks to Microsoft Office XP, the latest version Office Productivity Suite to be launched on May 31.

Microsoft has partnered with OAG Worldwide to customize new Smart Tag technology, built into Office XP, that will deliver details of specific flights directly to the screens of PCs with the Microsoft Office suite of applications.

The Smart Tags have been developed to recognize the textual form of airline flight numbers to provide users with updated information on a specific flight, such as terminal information and flight status updates. With this new technology, a flight number is typed into the latest version of Word and it is automatically highlighted and offered a route to the OAG web site (http://www.OAG.com) where additional details on the flight can be obtained.

"We are privileged to partner with Microsoft to create nothing short of a revolution in travel technology, providing valuable travel information directly to busy travelers and travel arrangers," commented OAG. "OAG.com has already proved the demand for completely updated travel information, but Office XP will take it a massive step further – bringing vital data within just one or two mouse clicks."

Andy Pickup, head of marketing for productivity software, Microsoft Ltd added, "We are delighted to be associated with OAG in the development of Smart Tags because OAG can deliver such rich content to the users of Microsoft software. This is a useful application that will no doubt benefit travelers."

Once the Internet connection with the OAG web site has been made, users have access to instantaneous checks on a variety of flight details, including scheduled departure and arrival times, type of aircraft being used for a particular flight and terminal information. The system will also give PC users a real-time check on whether a flight is on time or delayed.

The flight detail information is drawn from the OAG "Flight Engine", the most up-to-date and comprehensive global flight schedules database in the world that provides access to information on millions of direct and connecting flights. Updated daily, the OAG Flight Engine offers the most extensive air travel options available today on the Web. An array of other travel information, including destination information for more than 200 countries, immunization requirements and currency exchange rates, makes OAG.com a "one stop shop" for travelers and travel arrangers.

OAG schedules data is also transmitted to the world’s global distribution systems used by travel agents, the airline industry and associated organizations throughout the world.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.