Galileo inks four-year Distribution Agreement with Air Canada

Galileo International, a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation, and Air Canada recently signed 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 agents in exchange for reduced booking fee rates. The agreement was 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 s of working cooperatively with suppliers and travel agencies to find win-win solutions,” said Esterow.

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