BRITISH Airways is planning to offer agents an on-line Internet booking service later this year, as exclusively reported in Travel Weekly on March 6.
The move will enable agents to save money by cutting computer reservation system costs.
The first stage of the plan will be rolled out in May when agents with Internet access are offered a link to a BA extranet.
The initial part of the extranet plan will only give agents information on product and services, promotions, training, reports and a people directory.
On-line bookings will follow later in the year when agents have got used to the first extranet initiative.
BA project manager business Chris Davies said: “The potential of the site is enormous and we are already looking at the possibility of booking on-line. We can update the site ourselves, which saves both time and money.”
Agents including BTI UK, Britannic and Co-op Travelcare have been taking part in a three-month trial, which ends this month, to test the extranet service.
ABTA welcomed the initiative. President Steven Freudmann said it will give smaller agents the opportunity to save money by working direct with BA.
BA also claims a move to put its trade enquiry service Rapport on-line will reduce agency costs. The airline also plans to send tailor-made messages to agents to push specific promotions.
Agents that want to sign up to the extranet service will need to have access to the Internet with Explorer or Netscape version 4 or higher. Those eligible will be sent a BA CD-ROM to register themselves on the site.
The agent initiative will run alongside plans to offer frequent flyers and Executive Club members on-line offers, promotions and information. This part of BA’s on-line plan is not so good news for agents as it will lead to more direct bookings. BA is spending £100m on Internet initiatives over the next two years.