Pune: Air India’s decision on December 4 to disconnect its domestic inventory from one of the major Global Distribution Systems (GDS) through which travel agents book flights has caused a dip of over 50% bookings for the airline from the city.
A source from Travel Agents Association of India, Pune chapter, said, “Since December 4, I have been unable to make bookings for AI (air India) from my company. This has affected close to 50% bookings for the airline from the city. It will be a huge cost for me to invest in another GDS only for an airline.”
The airline recently ended its 30-year-old relationship with global air ticket reservation data provider Amadeus. Travel agents would organize a peaceful protest outside the Air India office in the city on December 14 to oppose the move.
Nilesh Bhansali, director, Travel Agents Association of Pune (TAAP), told TOI the airline had decided to give exclusive right to another GDS, which majority of travel companies in India did not have. “Consequently, travel companies are unable to book any AI flight for customers. This decision is likely to impact passengers because of a surge in fares by competitor airlines,” he said.
A source in Air India in Pune said the decision was taken at the headquarters-level and they were merely the implementing authorities. “The protest is not only happening in Pune but also in other cities. We can do little about it,” the source said, refusing to comment on the extent to which the decision had affected the airline’s bookings in the city.
13/12/18 Neha Madaan/Times of India
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A source from Travel Agents Association of India, Pune chapter, said, “Since December 4, I have been unable to make bookings for AI (air India) from my company. This has affected close to 50% bookings for the airline from the city. It will be a huge cost for me to invest in another GDS only for an airline.”
The airline recently ended its 30-year-old relationship with global air ticket reservation data provider Amadeus. Travel agents would organize a peaceful protest outside the Air India office in the city on December 14 to oppose the move.
Nilesh Bhansali, director, Travel Agents Association of Pune (TAAP), told TOI the airline had decided to give exclusive right to another GDS, which majority of travel companies in India did not have. “Consequently, travel companies are unable to book any AI flight for customers. This decision is likely to impact passengers because of a surge in fares by competitor airlines,” he said.
A source in Air India in Pune said the decision was taken at the headquarters-level and they were merely the implementing authorities. “The protest is not only happening in Pune but also in other cities. We can do little about it,” the source said, refusing to comment on the extent to which the decision had affected the airline’s bookings in the city.
13/12/18 Neha Madaan/Times of India
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