ba improves trade website

can discuss trade issues with British Airways thanks to a new section that has been added to its industry website, www.batraveltrade.com.

The new section, known as Talking Point, will allow the airline to respond to trade issues raised by agents. Each week a topic will be selected and head of UK sales and marketing Tiffany Hall or one of her team will respond. Agents can email their views to talking.point@britishairways.com.

Another new addition, Cleared for Take Off, is a news service that will be continuously updated with the latest press releases and sales information. There will also be a photo library with downloadable shots of the airline’s products and services.

BA general manager leisure sales Andrew Swaffield said: “These two new sections will improve communication with our travel agency partners. Our trade extranet is now an indispensable tool for agents to provide information for their customers.”

The move follows the launch of Trade Fare Explorer last month, which enables agents to book via the website. The system, aimed at agents that do not have access to a global distribution system, is based on the new selling engine that features on the airlines other website, www.ba.com.