Flight West Airlines will switch to the global Sabre flight reservations system from today, as part its independent growth strategy under new owners Queensland Airline Holdings.
The Brisbane-based company will also adopt a new flight designator, QQ, and list all flights in the '700' series.
Prior to its collapse in June last year, Flight West used the YC flight designator and was hosted in Ansett's Merlin reservations system. Since June, the company has used Ansett's AN designator for all services.
"The new flight designator, and the introduction of a new distribution system, are just the start of our new life as an independent operator," said the Chief Executive of Queensland Airline Holdings, Mr Scott McMillan.
He said existing bookings on the company's scheduled services on the Brisbane-Gladstone and Townsville-Brisbane routes would be moved from Merlin to the Sabre system on Tuesday night.
Flight West services and fares will continue to be available to all GDS users, or online at
www.flightwest.com.au, and e -ticketing links for travel agents using the Galileo and Amadeus reservations systems will be restored in the near future.
Mr McMillan said the Sabre reservations was chosen after a detailed comparison with other global distribution systems.
"Sabre hosts more than 70 airlines around the world, and offers the best example of integration between world-wide travel agent access and airline inventory capabilities," said Mr McMillan.
"Other Australian regional operators who have opted to join Sabre include Skywest, Kendell and Hazelton."
Wednesday's Flight West services will be the first to operate with the new QQ 700 series flight numbers.
"Fares and schedules are now available in Sabre until the system end date,providing travel agents and the public with another example of our commitment, and long-term plans," said Mr McMillan.
"We will release further details of our strategy in coming weeks, including a new name for the company, and a new livery for our Fokker 100 and Embraer Brasilia aircraft." |
