Galileo International Expands Electronic Ticketing Services In Asia Pacific

Galileo International, Inc. (NYSE: GLC), a leading provider of electronic global distribution services for the travel industry, announced today that it has further expanded its electronic ticketing offerings in the Asia Pacific region. Galileo customers in Singapore are now able to benefit from this service enhancement with Singapore Airlines. In addition, beginning in August, customers in Australia will also enjoy the advantages of electronic ticketing with the same carrier.

Singapore Airlines joins a number of other leading airlines that offer this service with Galileo in the Asia Pacific region. Galileo already provides this service with United Airlines in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore. Also, electronic ticketing is deployed with Air New Zealand and Qantas in Australia and New Zealand, and with Ansett Australia in Australia.

“Electronic ticketing is a clear plus for all parties in the travel equation, providing cost savings and processing efficiencies for both airlines and travel agents, as well as enhancing the travel experience for consumers. Galileo is excited to be actively extending the benefits of this key functionality to more and more of our clients in the Asia Pacific region,” said Janie Kaung, vice president, Subscriber Sales and Service, for Galileo’s Asia Pacific region. “Electronic ticketing is particularly popular with our airline customers. Looking at Galileo’s ticketing statistics for United Airlines, Qantas, Ansett and Air New Zealand in Australia, it shows that 80 percent of their combined tickets in that market are electronic. Galileo is working with a number of other airlines to further expand deployment of this efficient, value-added service throughout the region.”

For airlines, electronic ticketing is considered a cost-savings tool and an enhanced service to their customers. Administrative costs are greatly reduced over paper ticketing, improving the airline’s revenue accounting processes. In fact, the International Air Transport Association has recently declared that the cost for one electronic ticket is approximately HKD$7.80, compared to approximately HKD$62.40 for a paper ticket. Travel agencies also benefit by no longer having to process or keep track of reams of paper tickets, saving on personnel, processing and mailing costs. The travelling experience for the consumer is also greatly enhanced, as they are able to enjoy the freedom, efficiency and ease that ticketless travel allows.

To date, Galileo’s computer reservation systems now include 30 airlines that offer electronic ticketing in 25 countries.