Corporate travelers have been given a lifeline from paying a surcharge on British Airways... if they use Carlson Wagonlit.
An agreement was made this week so that Travelport and Sabre can now book British Airways and Iberia flights (both part of the International Airlines Group) without incurring the recently introduced levy on tickets secured via Global Distribution Systems.
Exemptions to bookings made through Travelport went into effect last week (December 1) and Sabre tickets are expected to also be free from the surcharge once it and IAG have "worked through a fare-filing solution".
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Similar agreements are being sought (or have been secured) by other travel management companies, such as American Express Global Business Travel.
CWT has previously backed the so-called "old model" used by GDSs, arguing that it is a "robust marketplace" that provides a platform so that individuals can search and compare tickets across multiple carriers.
An official says:
"The GDSs are investing in their technology to use NDC content which will support many of the initiatives the airlines are looking to do around personalization and merchandising.
"However, both sides, airlines and GDS’, need to collaborate commercially and technically to enhance and develop the technology required to make NDC a reality, and responsibility lies with both parties.
"We are working hard to bring these parties to the table with us to find common ground to solve this."