Thai Airways and Korean Air deploy Galileo's Interactive Sell

Galileo's recent implementation of Interactive Sell™ with Korean Air and Thai Airways means Galileo-connected agents can now sell flights in real time on 200 carriers - or some 40% of the more than 500 airlines it currently represents. Additionally, its latest electronic ticketing activations with eight  major airlines has significantly extended Galileo's e-ticketing customer base in Asia Pacific.

The decision by Korean Air and Thai Airways to deploy Galileo's Interactive Sell allows agents to make real-time bookings with the airlines. This enables agents to offer instant confirmation to passengers. Additionally, the airline  will give its own reference/confirmation number to the agent, providing further reassurance in this respect and help avoid overbooking.

Airlines benefit from Interactive Sell because it enhances yield management. For instance, when demand is low, real-time booking provides the airline with ample opportunity to sell every last seat and reduce the likelihood of  empty seats when the aircraft takes off. This is integral to an airline's ability to maximize revenue earned on each flight. Prior to taking Interactive Sell, both Korean Air and Thai Airways were already participating in the Galileo® system through Interactive Display, a complementary functionality.

In addition to enhancing content through Korean Air and Thai Airways, Galileo has also significantly extended its electronic ticketing capability by activating e-ticketing with: 

· KLM as well as KLM-affiliated airlines KLM Excel and KLM UK in Hong Kong

· Virgin Atlantic in Hong Kong

· Northwest Airlines in both Hong Kong and Singapore

· Swiss in Singapore

· Air Canada in Hong Kong and Australia

· US Airways in Japan

Airlines achieve immediate cost reductions with e-ticketing, as the average cost to an airline of a paper ticket is US$8 while an e-ticket costs as little as US$1 according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). E-ticketing also improves an airline's revenue accounting processes and enhances customer service. Travel agents, meanwhile, value the ability to offer greater freedom and efficiency to travellers.

"Our business strategy is to add value for customers and help them cut costs as a means of driving profitability - these new developments do exactly that," said Janie Kaung, executive vice president and managing  director of Galileo's Asia Pacific region. "Every time we enhance links to our suppliers, or activate electronic ticketing, we are directly helping airlines reduce costs or boost revenue while simultaneously enriching the content of Galileo to the benefit of our 47,000-plus agency subscribers. These latest  developments help to underline why we are the leading GDS in the Asia Pacific."

In the Asia-Pacific region, Galileo is supporting carriers with electronic ticketing capabilities in Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand. Galileo is also seeking BSP certification to provide electronic  ticketing in other Asian markets such as Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand.