touch&go
18th Jun 2001, 20:07
This was announced at the end of last year, I heara rumour that it will be launched next week, does anyone have any info?
European on-line travel portal takes off
British Airways is to join forces with ten major airlines to create the
first European, multi-airline, on-line travel agency. The new site will
offer the general public access to the most up-to-date fare information,
including the airlines' lowest branded fares. It is expected to attract a
significant proportion of total on-line travel sales in Europe within the
next two years.
The other partners in the new venture are Air France, Lufthansa, Alitalia,
KLM, Iberia, SAS, Aer Lingus, Austrian Airlines Group, British Midland and
Finnair.
The ground-breaking site - to be named in the coming months - will offer
independent travellers the most comprehensive and competitively priced range
of flights to, from and within Europe. They will also be able to book
hotels, car hire, insurance and other travel services through the site.
Speaking on behalf of the member airlines, Rod Eddington, Chief Executive of
British Airways, said: "This site will revolutionise the way European
customers arrange their travel plans. From the comfort of their own
armchair, they'll now have access in their own language to the biggest
international route network and some of the lowest fares available, as well
as a one-stop-shop for all their travel needs.
"All our research shows that customers want to be able to compare and buy
offers from a wide range of airlines by visiting just one site. Now they can
do just that. They will also have the reassurance that they are dealing with
established brands which they can trust to deliver."
The new venture, which is expected to launch towards the end of this year,
will be managed independently of the airlines. The member airlines will
remain competitors and will not share pricing or proprietary information
with each other.
The site is expected to significantly cut the cost of selling and
distributing tickets for the member companies.
2 November 2000
PAN-EUROPEAN ONLINE TRAVEL PORTAL GEARS UP FOR LAUNCH
European on-line travel portal takes off
British Airways is to join forces with ten major airlines to create the
first European, multi-airline, on-line travel agency. The new site will
offer the general public access to the most up-to-date fare information,
including the airlines' lowest branded fares. It is expected to attract a
significant proportion of total on-line travel sales in Europe within the
next two years.
The other partners in the new venture are Air France, Lufthansa, Alitalia,
KLM, Iberia, SAS, Aer Lingus, Austrian Airlines Group, British Midland and
Finnair.
The ground-breaking site - to be named in the coming months - will offer
independent travellers the most comprehensive and competitively priced range
of flights to, from and within Europe. They will also be able to book
hotels, car hire, insurance and other travel services through the site.
Speaking on behalf of the member airlines, Rod Eddington, Chief Executive of
British Airways, said: "This site will revolutionise the way European
customers arrange their travel plans. From the comfort of their own
armchair, they'll now have access in their own language to the biggest
international route network and some of the lowest fares available, as well
as a one-stop-shop for all their travel needs.
"All our research shows that customers want to be able to compare and buy
offers from a wide range of airlines by visiting just one site. Now they can
do just that. They will also have the reassurance that they are dealing with
established brands which they can trust to deliver."
The new venture, which is expected to launch towards the end of this year,
will be managed independently of the airlines. The member airlines will
remain competitors and will not share pricing or proprietary information
with each other.
The site is expected to significantly cut the cost of selling and
distributing tickets for the member companies.
2 November 2000
PAN-EUROPEAN ONLINE TRAVEL PORTAL GEARS UP FOR LAUNCH