Galileo International, and Air Canada announced the signing of a new four-year amendment to their existing distribution agreement…
Galileo International, and Air Canada announced the signing of a new four-year amendment to their existing distribution agreement. Air Canada will provide all Galileo-connected agencies worldwide with complete access to all published fares available to travel agencies in exchange for reduced booking fee rates. The agreement will be implemented on October 15th 2004.
Galileo agents will have full access to the expanded Air Canada content comprising all classes of service, including Tango, Fun and Latitude fares, which will be seamlessly integrated into all fares displays and pricing applications directly through the Galileo GDS. For the first 90 days, there will be no added booking fees or opt-in requirements for Galileo subscribers to receive access to the Air Canada content.
This is great for customers and agencies because it gives them access to the best Air Canada has to offer in the most efficient, integrated way – through Galileo, said Mitch Gross, executive vice president and managing director, Travel Agency Services, The Americas.
We`re pleased to offer our worldwide customers the ability to book all of their Air Canada business through the GDS and confident Air Canada will benefit as well.
Today`s announcement represents another important step in the evolution of our distribution model, said Marc Rosenberg, vice-president sales and product distribution, Air Canada. The new amendment to the distribution agreement with Galileo will provide Galileo-connected agencies around the world, the choice, flexibility and efficiency they have requested, while allowing Air Canada to further reduce its distribution costs. Galileo agencies in Canada, the US and globally will now have access not only to our published fares, but also to Air Canada`s popular one way web fares – Freedom, Latitude, Fun and Tango through the Galileo GDS system.
Cendant Travel Distribution Services is committed to creating a sustainable distribution model that benefits airlines, travel agents and suppliers, said Ken Esterow, executive vice president, supplier services, Cendant Travel Distribution Services. The agreement underscores the fact that the GDS remains the most efficient distribution tool for professional travel agencies and reflects the advantages of working cooperatively with suppliers and travel agencies to find win-win solutions, said Esterow.
About Galileo International
Galileo International is a global technology leader. Its core business is providing electronic global distribution services for the travel industry through its computerized reservation systems, leading-edge products and innovative, Internet-based solutions. Galileo is a value-added distributor of travel inventory dedicated to supporting its travel supplier, agency and corporate customers and, through them, expanding traveler choice. A subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD) and part of Cendant`s Travel Distribution Services Division, Galileo is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, and has offices worldwide.
About Cendant Travel Distribution Services
Cendant Corporation`s (NYSE: CD) Travel Distribution Services Division, is one of the world`s largest and most geographically diverse collections of travel brands and distribution businesses. The division, employing nearly 5,000 people in more than 116 countries, includes: Galileo, a leading global distribution system (GDS), serving more than 44,000 travel agencies and over 60,000 hotels; hotel distribution and services businesses (TRUST, THOR, WizCom and Neat Group); leading online travel agencies (CheapTickets.com, Lodging.com, HotelClub.com and RatesToGo.com); Shepherd Systems, an airline market intelligence company; Travelwire, an international travel technology and software company; Travel 2/Travel 4, a leading international provider of long-haul air travel and travel product consolidator; and Travelport, a provider of online global corporate travel management solutions.
About Air Canada
Montreal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 150 destinations on five continents. Canada`s flag carrier is the 11th largest commercial airline in the world and serves more than 30 million customers annually. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance providing the world`s most comprehensive air transportation network.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
