AirAsia and Expedia have partnered to offer a
complete range of flights, hotels, and holiday packages. This is
one of the first partnerships of its kind globally between a low
cost carrier (LCC) and an online travel agent (OTA).
Under the joint venture agreement, a new company
will be formed to operate Expedia’s branded businesses in Japan,
India and Southeast Asia, as well as AirAsia’s AirAsiaGo and
GoRooms businesses.
The new venture will have the exclusive online
third-party distribution rights in the region for AirAsia and
AirAsiaX flights and travel packages meaning that with few
exceptions in the region the only place to find and book AirAsia
flights online will be AirAsia.com, AirAsiaGo.com and Expedia.
Taken together with over 130,000 hotels worldwide, this will
create a unique set of packages for customers.
In addition, AirAsia and Expedia are partnering outside of the new
venture to make Expedia the exclusive third party travel provider
for AirAsia inventory allowing travellers to book AirAsia flights
on any of Expedia’s travel sites worldwide.
“With this
announcement AirAsia and Expedia are launching a revolution in online travel for Asia. This partnership between two global brands
and leaders in the travel industry comes at a time when online
travel bookings are exploding in the region. Asia and its booming
economy offers a huge opportunity to develop a set of loved
consumer brands,” said Dato’
Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes, Group CEO, AirAsia. “We are pleased to have Expedia as
our partner and are proud to welcome them to Asia. We’ve taken our
time to find a great partner that understands Asia and matches our
drive, passion and aspiration.”
Barry Diller, Chairman and Senior Executive,
Expedia, Inc., said, “We are delighted to have established
such a meaningful partnership with AirAsia, and are confident that
this new endeavour between Expedia and AirAsia will support our
mutual aspirations to make travel accessible to consumers the
world over. Given AirAsia’s position as the world’s leading
low-cost carrier, combined with Expedia’s impressive selection of
global travel offerings and package technology, we think this
partnership enables both companies to offer travellers world-class
travel products at an unparalleled value.”
See recent travel news from:
Travel News Asia,
AirAsia,
Tune Hotels,
AirAsia X,
Expedia
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