UNITED Airlines is to set up a subsidiary dedicated to maximising revenue from Internet sales.
The Chicago-based operation will be up and running by June with a team of 70-plus employees.
The team, under the leadership of current United vice-president revenue management Scott Praven, will focus on increasing United’s on-line revenue and managing links with other on-line travel firms.
The new subsidiary marks the first time the US carrier has dedicated a group of employees to e-commerce. United’s investment in improving its on-line business follows growing success in taking more bookings over the Internet.
The carrier claims around 50% of domestic bookings are made on-line.
Its latest attempt to tap into the market will put further pressure on traditional airline sales through agents.
The carrier said it wanted to tap into professionals who regularly use the Internet to conduct business.