BA signs deal with Travelport

New agreement to last until 2013

Travelport today (November 12) announced it had signed a full-content agreement with British Airways .

The long-term global contract, set to continue until April 2013, means all of BA's published fares and inventory will be available to travel agents connected to Travelport's Galileo and Worldspan platforms.

John Mornement, BA's head of selling and distribution, said the agreement will "both reduce our distribution costs and ensure that agents continue to have access to our full published content, including our lowest fares, through Galileo and Worldspan".

Travelport also announced it will be working on providing Galileo and Worldspan-connected travel agents with the ability to book extras, such as seating, through the GDS.

Matthew Hall, Travelport GDS's vp supplier business development for EMEA, said: "We have a strong track record of reaching full content agreements with flag carriers across the globe and this deal with BA is further testament to our ability to reach sustainable deals that clearly demonstrate the long term viability and importance of the agency channel.

"I am delighted that we have struck a deal that is mutually beneficial for both parties and offers great value to travel agents."

The deal with Travelport is the first to be signed in the current negotiations between the airline and the GDS, including Sabre and Amadeus.

Talks last time round lasted from late 2006 to early 2007 before deals were agreed as BA sought to cut the fees it paid to the GDSs.

www.travelport.com   www.ba.com