To a great extent, the global distribution systems, usually cutthroat competitors, are speaking with one voice -- literally -- about a new standards body.
Open Axis Group is seeking a joint meeting with Sabre, Amadeus and Travelport -- which makes sense since these GDS and airline-hosting platform vendors are coordinating their public response to the emergence of the airline-run standards body.
Sabre and Amadeus are members of the board of the rival standards body, OpenTravel, and Travelport is a member of the group, as well, so I asked the three companies whether they intend to join Open Axis and how they view the new organization.
In separate responses, the three companies used a lot of identical wording.
For example, each company replied that it "absolutely supports the development of a single XML standard for the travel industry."
Travelport and Sabre responded separately and identically: "We believe the efficiency and clarity this brings will benefit all industry players, in particular the travel consumer."
Amadeus apparently was less enthusiastic about "efficiency and clarity" and merely wrote: "We believe that standardization will bring [sic] will benefit all industry players, in particular the travel consumer."
UPDATED: After seeing this story, Amadeus clarifies: "Amadeus does believe the efficiency and clarity that standards will bring will benefit all industry players, in particular the travel consumer."
All three separately replied: "Following the industry-wide announcement of May 11 endorsing the adoption of industry standards, the GDSs have been working actively to define GDS requirements for an XML protocol which we will share in the near future."
So, there has been some coordination going on for some time, which might raise some eyebrows.
On May 11, Sabre, Amadeus and Travelport, travel management companies, online travel agencies and a handful of airlines announced plans to implement an industrywide standard for ancillary services -- so get ready to hear more about that "in the near future," as all three major GDS companies said.
The full statements of Sabre, Amadeus and Travelport about Open Axis versus OpenTravel appear at the end of this post.
All three are apparently are in the process of deciding how to respond to the launch of Open Axis, which uses Farelogix schema as the foundation for building new XML standards.
Some may fear that Open Axis is a ploy for airlines to distribute to travel agencies and corporations through Farelogix and to bypass the GDSs, a concern dismissed by Open Axis Executive Director Jim Young.
Young says Open Axis is not a GDS bypass vehicle and now that airlines have figured out how to distribute ancillary services through their internal channels, they want to develop standards to sell them through intermediaries, too.
Open Axis claims -- and OpenTravel denies -- that airlines need their own standards body and that OpenTravel is too slow-moving in standards development.
"They [airlines] need to address all channels out there, not just the Farelogix channel," Young says. "The vast majority of their business flows through the GDSs."
Young says Open Axis has reached out to Sabre, Amadeus and Travelport to conduct a joint meeting among the parties to pitch the benefits of Open Axis and to allay any concerns.
The GDSs have an alternative to joining Open Axis. Since the schemas it develops would be available for free, the GDSs could choose to abstain from joining the group, although then they wouldn't have a say in forging Open Axis' XML messages.
There were some differences in the GDSs responses to questions about Open Axis and OpenTravel.
When asked if it would remain in OpenTravel and join Open Axis, a Sabre spokeswoman said the company participates in OpenTravel, adding, "We don’t know if we will join Open Axis - we’re working to learn more about the group and their efforts."
A Travelport GDS spokeswoman said: "We have participated in the OpenTravel Alliance but are not prepared to comment on future participation with either body at this time."
Amadeus didn't provide an immediate answer to the question.
The following are the full statements of the three companies:
Sabre
"We absolutely support the development of a single, industry-wide XML standard for the travel industry. We believe the efficiency and clarity this brings will benefit all industry players, in particular the travel consumer. As such we are supportive of any initiatives which promote the development and execution of a singleXML standard.
"However, for a schema to become a workable industry standard, it must receive the buy-in and adoption of the industry as a whole. This requires that all parties work together to define and apply a set of schemas which satisfy the needs of all players in the industry. Ultimately, broad-based acceptance and usage by the travel supply/distribution chain (airlines, distribution systems and TAs) will determine whether a protocol becomes a standard.
"Following the industry-wide announcement of May 11 endorsing the adoption of industry standards, the GDSs have been working actively to define GDS requirements for an XML protocol which we will share in the near future."
Travelport GDS:
How does Travelport GDS view OpenAxis?
"We absolutely support the development of a single, industry-wide XML standard for the travel industry. We believe the efficiency and clarity this brings will benefit all industry players, in particular the travel consumer. As such we are supportive of any initiatives which promote the development and execution of a single XML standard. However, for a schema to become a workable industry standard, it must receive the buy-in and adoption of the industry as a whole. This requires that all parties work together to define and apply a set of schemas which satisfy the needs of all players in the industry. Ultimately, broad-based acceptance and usage by the travel supply/distribution chain (airlines, distribution systems and TAs) will determine whether a protocol becomes a standard. Following the industry-wide announcement of May 11 endorsing the adoption of industry standards, the GDSs have been working actively to define GDS requirements for an XML protocol which we will share in the near future."
How does Travelport GDS view OpenTravel?
"Travelport supports the development of a single, industry-wide XML standard for the travel industry. The emergence of two standard setting bodies means that all industry participants need to understand how these contribute to the industry need for clarity and efficiency in achieving industry standards."
Which will you participate in and why or why not?
"We have participated in the OpenTravel Alliance but are not prepared to comment on future participation with either body at this time."
Amadeus
"Amadeus absolutely supports the development of a single XML standard for the travel industry. We believe that standardization will bring [sic] will benefit all industry players, in particular the travel consumer. [Amadeus updated its statement to say: "Amadeus does believe the efficiency and clarity that standards will bring will benefit all industry players, in particular the travel consumer."] Therefore, Amadeus is supportive of any initiative that contributes to a single XML standard in the travel industry.
"However, for a schema to be effective and sustainable, it must receive the buy-in and adoption of the industry as a whole. This requires that all parties work together to define and apply solutions which satisfy the needs of all players in the industry. Ultimately, broad-based acceptance and usage by the travel distribution chain -- airlines, distribution systems and travel agents -- will determine whether a schema or protocol becomes a standard. Following the industry-wide announcement of May 11 endorsing the adoption of industry standards, the GDSs have been working actively to define GDS requirements for an XML protocol which we will share in the near future."