TORONTO, Apr 23, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- First Data International, a global leader in electronic commerce and payment services, announced that it has signed a merchant acquiring processing agreement with WestJet, Canada's second largest airline. First Data will provide WestJet with merchant acquiring processing services including Visa and MasterCard.

"We are pleased to be working with WestJet," said Peter Harrington, President, Latin America and Canada, First Data International. "This is a significant and strategic win for First Data in Canada, and it demonstrates the trust our clients place on us to deliver value through our innovative and reliable electronic processing solutions."

"First Data was clearly the right partner for us based on their extensive experience in the Canadian travel market, and their ability to deliver a comprehensive range of services to meet our business needs," said Hugh Dunleavy, WestJet Executive Vice-President Commercial Distribution. "We look forward to building a long-term relationship with them."

First Data provides merchant acquiring and card issuing payment processing services throughout Canada. The company combines its worldwide expertise with local market knowledge to build new partnerships, strengthen client relationships and deliver market-tailored solutions to the region. First Data continues to bring its clients in-country expertise from offices in Canada.

About WestJet

WestJet is Canada's leading low-fare airline offering scheduled service throughout its 35-city North American and Caribbean network. Named Canada's most admired corporate culture in 2005 and 2006, WestJet pioneered low-cost high-value flying in Canada. With increased legroom and leather seats on its modern fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft, and live seatback television provided by Bell ExpressVu on the majority of its fleet, WestJet strives to be the number one choice for travellers.

About First Data

First Data International, part of First Data Corp. (NYSE:FDC), is a leading provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions for financial institutions and merchants around the world. First Data International serves a diverse range of markets, leveraging global scale through a local presence and maintaining focus on individual client needs. First Data International has more than 7,900 employees and operates across Europe, Middle East and Africa, Latin America, Canada, Australia and Asia-Pacific.

Serving over 5 million merchant locations, 1,900 card issuers and their customers, First Data powers the global economy by making it easy, fast and secure for people and businesses around the world to buy goods and services using virtually any form of payment. The company's portfolio of services and solutions includes merchant transaction processing services; credit, debit, private-label, gift, payroll and other prepaid card offerings; fraud protection and authentication solutions; electronic check acceptance services through TeleCheck; as well as Internet commerce and mobile payment solutions. The company's STAR Network offers PIN-secured debit acceptance at 2 million ATM and retail locations. For more information, visit www.firstdata.com.

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SOURCE: First Data International 

First Data International
Julie Holan, 321-263-3838
julie.holan@firstdata.com

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