| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 10/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 51 |
| Copyright: Other |
Galileo looksto sign upno-frills airlines
GALILEO is looking to sign up no-frills airlines to a low-cost participation product scheduled for launch in Europe in the second half of the year.Called Basic Booking Product, it has been designed for carriers operating a single aircraft type with a single class, limited services and operating a point-to-point network. Galileo said fee levels had yet to be decided but charges will be lower than for normal participation.
Ryanair will stop selling tickets through Galileo from July 31 because the £4 per sector charges are “exorbitant”.
Galileo would not name the airlines it is talking to. But airline vendor account management vice-president Andrew Winterton said “numerous” low-cost carriers are interested.
He said it will give low-cost airlines that rely only on the Internet, distribution through travel agents.
“When it comes to the actual purchase, consumers still rely on agents which is why it is necessary for an airline to have its inventory at the travel agent’s fingers,” said Winterton.