Less than a week after exiting Sabre global distribution system (GDS) and ending a two-decade partnership, Air India has inked a new distribution deal with Amadeus.
The agreement sees the Indian carrier returning to Amadeus after it withdrew its inventory in the GDS.
The airline also has an agreement with Travelport. In October 2018 it chose the technology company as its sole distributor for its domestic flight content in its home market.
The exclusivity clause in the Travelport deal means that Amadeus’ affiliated travel sellers in India will have access to Air India’s international content only. However, Amadeus’ global sellers will be able to distribute the carrier’s full range of content, both domestic and international.
“We are glad to once again work with Air India and
play a positive role in the airline’s growth strategy,” commented Cyril Tetaz, Amadeus’
executive vice president, airlines, Asia Pacific, on the renewed partnership said:
Meenakshi Mallik, commercial director for Air
India, said: “We are pleased to renew our relationship with Amadeus to support
our growth strategy globally and hope that this is the first step in our new
journey together. We look forward to working closer with Amadeus to support
agencies and travellers in the future.”
On 2 January, Sabre announced in a
statement that after a 20-year relationship Air India has decided to
discontinue distributing its content through the GDS, and the carrier’s content
is no longer available to Sabre-connected travel agencies.
“We have worked with Air India for the
better part of a year to reach a new agreement, in anticipation of the existing
contract expiring and after receiving a termination notice from the carrier. Unfortunately, after extensive negotiations,
we have been unable to come to a new agreement,” said Kristin Hays, vice
president – global communications for Sabre:
She added Sabre would continue to work with Air India on a new agreement that would meet the needs of Sabre, Air India and travel buyers.
• Featured image credit: Wikimedia Commons
