Product news, releases, projects and more from the global distribution systems during December 2010 - all here, in one easy read.
Most recent updates first...
Wednesday 29 December 2010:
- Abacus credited with major role in ongoing expansion of Hong Kong Airlines. The Asia-based GDS has assisted through bringing in corporate and leisure agents to new routes, especially latest high-profile segment from Hong Kong to Singapore.
Friday 24 December 2010:- Is Sabre biasing American Airlines flights for emploee travel? [full story]
- Travelport IPO? 2010 developments may weigh heavily [full story]
- United to leave Travelport reservations system and transition to HP [full story]
- Amadeus taking low-key stance over Travelport-Airlines Airlines spat [full story]
- Travelport fears massive defections if American Airlines wins in Orbitz suit [full story]
- Sabre backs Travelport over American Airlines dispute [full story]
- Judge denies Travelport request for American Airlines injunction [full story]
Tuesday 21 December 2010:- Travelport overhauls Greek and Cypriot GDS arrangements with travel agents. A new Galileo and Worldspan-connected system will supply agents in both countries and replaces an existing third party agreement with Galileo Hellas.
Monday 20 December 2010:- Airlines, GDSs and the case of the gourmet chocolate truffle cream cookie [full story]
- Travelport poised to bias American Airlines flights as airline surcharge begins [full story]
Friday 17 December 2010:- Abacus builds electronic ticketing facility for Airphil Express. The Asia-based GDS says it is the first time the low cost carrier has worked on an electronic ticketing programme and joins others such as EVA Air, Bangkok Airways and Vietnam Airlines.
- Amadeus launches version of Master Price specially for the Taiwan market.
Thursday 16 December 2010:Wednesday 15 December 2010:- Alitalia and Amadeus sign full content distribution agreement. The deal will run until the end of 2013 and gives Amadeus-connected agents access to full fares, schedules and inventory from the airline.
- Amadeus unveils competition to improve the travel experience [full story]
Tuesday 14 December 2010:Monday 13 December 2010:- Amadeus issues report predicting the Middle East will become the world's dominant travel hub. Growth patterns cited in the study include the $86 million earmarked for airport development, in-bound tourist numbers expected to double to 135 million by 2010, and the emergence of new low cost carriers in the region. Full report available from Amadeus.
Thursday 9 December 2010:- Air New Zealand and Sabre Travel Network unite to introduce Branded Fares for the airline. The initiative is actually just a way of ensuring the airline website fares are available and matched by agents on the Sabre network.
Wednesday 8 December 2010:Tuesday 7 December 2010:- GTA by Travelport signs extension to distribution agreement with Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts. The deal sees the global luxury hotel chain distribute inventory through the the GTA network of connected agents and operators in 130 countries.
Friday 3 December 2010:Thursday 2 December 2010:- Amadeus renews agreement with Hutchison-Priceline. HP is the Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan division of Priceline and uses Amadeus for both distribution and web services. The extension to the existing deal covers the next five years.
Wednesday 1 December 2010:- Brussels Airlines signs full content and global agreement with Travelport. The deal will see agents on both Galileo and Worldspan systems get access to content from the airline, including 300 daily scheduled flights to 70 destinations around the world.
B: These new monthly lists replace the old
GDS Bitesize - Wordpress reached its limit after nine months :)