AirAsia adopts Amadeus travel agent technology
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AirAsia has become the first airline in Asia Pacific to implement Amadeus’ new technology for travel agencies.
Following the low-cost carrier’s move to the GDS earlier this year, AirAsia has now adopted the new light ticketing technology from Amadeus, which is aimed at simplifying the booking process for the travel trade.
The Amadeus system allows traditional shopping, booking and back-office flows to be combined with real-time fares provided through AirAsia’s XML connection with Amadeus. Amadeus-connected travel agencies can then view and compare AirAsia fares in the same screen as full-service carriers – something not previously possible.
This means that AirAsia bookings can now be made either the GUI (graphic user interface) or the traditional ‘green screen’, so agents do not need to learn new system commands. Agents can then use the technology to issue an AirAsia ticket.
Amadeus states that the new AirAsia booking process is up to five times faster than booking outside of the GDS.
“We are pleased to offer travel agencies an easier way to book AirAsia’s extensive fare inventory, which will translate into an increase of flight bookings for the region,” said Rayner Teo, AirAsia’s group head of sales.
“Amadeus is fundamental to our growth strategy moving forward. We fly to over 80 destinations around Asia every day and this partnership with Amadeus will allow us to reach a broader sales channel.”
AirAsia embraced the travel trade earlier this year, when it signed up to Amadeus and started distributing its fares to agents via the GDS. Previously it had relied on direct bookings.
Amadeus and AirAsia said they now plan to work together to further develop mid- and back-office integration and sales reporting in select BSP (Billing Settlement Plan) markets.
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