Global distribution system providers are in a “precarious” position thanks to changing economics and roles, according to former Sabre SVP and chief scientist Ben Vinod’s new book, “Mastering The Travel Intermediaries.” Vinod wrote that the adoption of New Distribution Capability means “disintermediation of the GDS is a foregone conclusion,” with the GDS share of the…
American Airlines is reeling in the more aggressive parts of its erstwhile distribution plan, but it’s not abandoning the New Distribution Capability. While other carriers around the globe delay or soften their strategies, they and others are pressing ahead with alternative distribution programs. In some cases, they’re adding or raising fees on traditional global distribution…
As some airlines build programs to offer trip data to corporate clients on re-accommodated travelers after flight disruptions, travel management company leaders want the market to know they have a lot to offer here. Christopherson Business Travel has not seen a change in its disruption management role. “The main change is that the frequency and…
Due out this spring, the Southwest Business TravelTrack service aims to mitigate a growing challenge for corporate travel programs — missing data from changed itineraries. Bookings originally made through online booking tools and global distribution systems, as supported by travel management companies, often end up getting changed directly with airlines when flights are disrupted. Those…
Europe’s largest airline, Ryanair, in mid-December announced a deal to directly distribute fares through SAP’s Concur Travel and TripLink. On top of an agreement implemented in May 2023 with Amadeus, and pre-existing participation with Sabre and Travelport, the arrangement positions the carrier to court frugal business travelers for its aggressive growth plans. Already a titan…
[UPDATE, Jan. 3, 2024: Travelport announced completion of the financing.] Travelport said Monday that existing equity holders and lenders agreed to invest $570 million of “new equity financing.” Expected to close by year-end, the transaction would leave Travelport with a new ownership structure, “composed of Travelport’s existing equity and credit investors, including Elliott Investment Management,…
On the boards of a set of 14 business travel suppliers tracked by The Company Dime, female representation doubled between 2012 and 2023 to 30 percent. One of them has a woman serving as chair, the same number in that role among the group as in 2017 and 2012. The number of female CEOs in…
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