XL TRAVEL is rolling out a booking
platform that allows agents to
bypass GDS surcharges, offer more
ancillaries, and access the best
fares loaded within the group.
The new platform pulls content
from multiple GDSs across the XL
group, aggregators as well as direct
connections, including airline NDC
connections from airlines. TNW
understands that XL Travel is the
first agency both to offer NDC tech
to agents and also to offer a multiGDS
booking platform.
Group ceo, Marco Ciocchetti, says
the platform is being rolled out to
some of the agencies within the XL
group this month, while a full roll-out
is expected early next year.
The system allows bookings on
different PCCs (pseudo city codes),
allowing agents to access fares
loaded for other agencies with the
XL Travel group. Moreover,
the system allows agencies
to access ticket classes
that may not be available in
the South African market if
they have agreements with
international travel agencies.
However, Marco emphasises
that while the system has
this capability, the group has
not yet decided whether it
will use this.
Because the booking
platform allows agents to
book tickets from a choice
of GDSs, or even through
a direct connection to an
airline, consultants within
the XL Travel group will have
the ability to bypass GDS
surcharges. Marco explains
that the platform allows
consultants within the group
to connect directly to the
airlines with direct connect,
such as Lufthansa and
British Airways. The multiple
GDS functionality will apply
to agencies within the group
that use more than one
GDS.
According to Marco, the
platform will also allow
agents to book ancillary
services not always
available on the GDS. For
example, agents will have
the ability to book a special
meal on economy class
without having to book this
separately on an airline’s
website. He says the ability
to fulfil these functions
from within one system will
drive efficiencies, enabling
consultants to better service
the needs of the customers.
By February next year, the
new booking system will be
fully PCI DSS compliant.
