BA signs GDS deal with Amadeus

New agreement up to 2013

Ian Wheeler

British Airways and Amadeus today (December 21) announced a new GDS deal.

The three year agreement to 2013 gives the travel IT company access to the UK carrier's full content.

It is the second agreement BA has signed with major GDS company in the last two months.

In November, it agreed a deal with Travelport, which owns Galileo, the major GDS in the UK, and Worldspan.

Under the deal, Amadeus said its agents would have access to the same fares, schedules and inventory as those offered through any direct or indirect channel, distribution provider or website.

It added: "Amadeus users can continue to access and book fares and inventory that the airline makes available to the public through its internal reservation system and its consumer website, as well as through third-party sites.   

"In the UK and Ireland, the opt-in levels that were established by Amadeus in 2007 remain unchanged.

John Mornement, BA's head of selling and distribution, said: "Amadeus is a trusted and important distribution channel and we are delighted to have reached an agreement that continues to give Amadeus agents worldwide access to our fares and which reduces our distribution costs."

Ian Wheeler, Amadeus' vp marketing and distribution, said: "We are delighted to bring continued stability to the travel distribution marketplace. Amadeus strives to offer the widest scope of integrated content to our travel agency partners.  Our customers have long told us that access to complete content is their highest priority.

"Full content agreements with carriers such as British Airways are a significant part of our ongoing mission - to provide our customers with stability and clear long-term planning."

BA said that talks with the other major GDS, Sabre, were still continuing.

www.ba.com  www.amadeus.com   www.travelport.com