Avro prepares for scheduled sales on revised Orbit system

Bookings facility

Avro prepares for scheduled sales on revised Orbit system

Report by LOUISELONGMAN

SEAT-ONLY specialist Avro is preparing to resume its role as a scheduled-flights consolidator in December following its suspension of scheduled sales during a computer systems change.

Avro bought the Travellog computer system last year, offering agents the ability to buy charter seats through Orbit, Avro’s new reservations system.

From December, retailers will also be able to use Orbit to book scheduled seats with the specialist.

Avro Orbit manager Alison Facey said:”Agents will be able to book scheduled seats with Orbit in the same way they book charter seats. At the moment, about 30% of our business comes through the system, from 700 users at around 35 sites.

“We want to increase the number of agents using Orbit because it saves money and as long as retailers have access to the Internet, it is easier for them to use. Existing Orbit users have been crying out for the scheduled-seat booking facility.”

Avro will buy seats with airlines offering destinations popular with British timeshare and villa owners, carriers include GBAirways, British Airways and Iberia.

Top-selling destinations include Malaga, Gibraltar, Faro, the Algarve, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

Avro distribution director John Fitz-Gerald said the move back to offering seats on scheduled airlines would not shift the focus away from offering seats on chartered airlines.

Fitz-Gerald said: “Our annual turnover is about £120 million. We used to take about £5 million through scheduled operations but with the new system on Orbit we should be able to get scheduled sales to £20 million in a couple of years’ time.”

On the up: Avro will provide seats with carriers such as GBAirways to popular Mediterranean destinations