GDSs battle for better fares
Galileo and Sabre have gone head-to-head by announcing similar schemes to get access to the full range of airlines’ fares.
Airlines with US points of sale can reduce their fees by around ten percent if they opt for the highest level of participation in Galileo, called Preferred Fares, or in Sabre’s Direct Connect Availability.
Galileo International president and chief executive, Sam Galeotos said: “This option addresses airlines’ interest in lowering costs and increasing volume, and our interest in restoring valuable inventory to travel agencies to provide customers greater, unrestricted choice.”
The first airline to sign up for both is US Airways, allowing all Galileo and Sabre-enabled US agents immediate access to its E-Saver web fares and promotions.
US Airways senior vice president marketing and planning, Ben Baldanza said: “As the internet has evolved from a niche marketing tool to a mainline distribution channel, travel agencies and corporate travellers have become frustrated with the discrepancies among the various fares airlines offer online versus more traditional distribution methods.”
Airlines will save around $0.40 per segment on bookings made through Preferred Fares or Direct Connect Availability. Galileo and Sabre require carriers to sign up for a minimum of three years.
Read our previous stories:
10-Oct-2002 Broom to head Sabre’s airline relations
30-Sept-2002 Sabre boosts e-ticketing for UK agents
9-Sept-2002 Galileo Ireland joins the Galileo fold
09-Sept-2002 Sabre names Scandinavian conquest
2-Sept-2002 Sabre on the heels of Scandinavia’s leading GDS
15-Aug-2002 Galileo signs global agreement with SAP
09-Aug-2002 Galileo gets new chief executive
5-Aug-2002 The TravelMole Interview: Chris Kroeger, Sabre
26-July-2002 Galileo removes need for manual checks on private fares
23-July-2002 Cost control to remain Sabre priority
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