editorial/ cover story - Air World

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AVIATION NEWS management companies that tend to dominate the landscape. The CAAC’s loosening of regulations, which will allow foreign GDSs to distribute non- Chinese airlines’ fares and schedules to Chinese travel agents, has been a long time coming. China was supposed to open its GDS market to foreign competition as a condition of admission to the World Trade Organization, which it joined 11 years ago. Meanwhile, TravelSky Technology Ltd., which functions not only as the only GDS operator in the market but also as the near-monopoly provider of airline passenger services systems, has formed a number of relationships with western GDS companies over the years. In 2002, Amadeus agreed to provide TravelSky with access to its non-air content. This year, TravelSky signed reciprocal hotel content agreements with Sabre and its Asian subsidiary, Abacus International. By far, its deepest relationship is with Travelport. The companies signed a joint product development agreement focused on advanced passenger service systems technology for airlines worldwide. They also have a hotel content agreement. According to reports in Orient Aviation, a Hong Kong-based publication, TravelSky has flirted with the idea of merging with an outside GDS company, looking at deals with Amadeus and with Singapore-based Abacus International, which is partially owned by Sabre and is hosted on the Sabre platform. Despite the challenges ahead in dealing with what is arguably one of the most bureaucratic nations on earth, the non-Chinese companies are upbeat about the changes. “These new regulations are the green light that many airlines, agencies, suppliers and technology companies have been waiting for, and we expect to see the industry evolve as new travel services become available,” Sabre said in a statement. Sabre noted that it provides technology to several Chinese carriers. It said it will “work closely with our travel partners, including Abacus, to bring new travel shopping, pricing, mobile and distribution capabilities that support China’s rapidly growing tourism industry, their prosperity and success.” Robert Bailey, chief executive officer of Abacus International, said the company is “in an ideal situation, especially with our Asia Pacific leadership through our 11 shareholder and partner airlines.” Abacus also has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu and is “firmly entrenched” in the Chinese market. Travelport said it welcomed the “partial deregulation.” Kurt Ekert, chief commercial officer, said Travelport has developed “a number of significant strategic partnerships in the country. This news very much plays to our partnership approach, and we’re looking forward to providing complementary travel distribution services in the country.” The company has offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. Amadeus plans to start off with its Amadeus Link technology, a web-based desktop platform of integrated tools and services, Tompkins said. Amadeus also is no stranger to the market, he said, noting that “about half the international carriers that serve China are hosted on Altéa,” Amadeus’ passenger services system. Travel, particularly international travel, is fueling huge growth in the Chinese economy, he said, and until relatively recently, “leisure didn’t exist as a concept.” With the development of a middle class, the Chinese have discovered holidays in a big way. “You need to bring in modern systems” to deal with the rapid growth, Tompkins said. In the world of travel technology, “this is the last big frontier.” WestJet, British Airways enter into codeshare agreement By: Kathryn M. Young WestJet (WS) entered into a codeshare agreement with British Airways (BA), effective immediately. The BA code will be placed on select WS flights connecting from Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto to Ottawa, Edmonton and Victoria. The agreement with BA is the eighth signed since September 2011 by WS. The Canadian airline has initiated codeshares with American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, KLM and Korean Air. BA-director of strategy and business units Lynne Embleton said the partnership “will enable easier travel from Canada’s gateway cities to destinations that have been more difficult to access from the UK. WS is the second largest airline in Canada. It flew 2.6 billion RPKs in July (ATW Daily News, Sept. 12) for a combined total of 10.7 billion RPKs for the first seven months of 2012. United Airlines takes delivery of first 787 By: Linda Blachly United Airlines (UA), the North American launch customer for the Boeing 787, has taken delivery of its first of 50 Dreamliners. UA previously announced it will initially use the 787 on international routes to Africa, Asia and Europe (ATW Daily News, Aug. 23). The airline will conduct temporary domestic flights before transitioning its 787 fleet to international service in late 2012. AIR WORLD October 2012-51
Events The Consul General of the republic of Turkey Mr.Murat M.Onart, hosted a reception to meet the Ambassador Mr.M.Babur Hizlan, and Mrs.Hizlan, at a local hotel. Photo shows acting Consul General of Japan Mr.Masamichi Abe, Turkish Airlines Country Manager Mr.Huseyin Cepni, Ms.T.U.Dawood, and Mr.M.Akram, with host and Chief Guest. Chairman, FPCCI Aviation committee, Mr. Yahya Polani, presenting a souvenir to the Vice President Pakistan, Emirates Airline, Khalid S Bardan. Also seen present on the occasion are Tariq Polani, Kumail Polani, Iftikhar Chima, Abdul Jabbar, Saadullah, Muhammad Sikander, and Hasan Ur Rehman. Chairman, Travel Agent Association of Pakistan (TAAP), Yahya Polani, Presenting a souvenir to the Vice Consul General of Malaysia, Azmir Suzle, Other seen present on the occasion include, Director Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Tuan Razalituan Omar, Siddiq Suleman, Hanif Rinch, Kumail Polani, and Others. Etihad Airways, the national airline of United Arab Emirates in collaboration with Abacus distribution system pvt. Ltd., has recently announced the winner of their joint promotion. Mr. Naveed Ahmed, Sales Manager South Pakistan Etihad Airways, Ms. Maria Khan, Etihad Airways and Mr. Sam Wong. General Manager, Abacus distribution are giving away the prize to Mr. Adnan Zainuddin Darbar from AEG Travels and Mr. Muhammad Zuhaib from Bukhari Travel. AIR WORLD October 2012-52
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editorial/ cover story - Air World

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