Riyadh-based low cost carrier to participate in the GDS channel for the first time
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2012-09-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — Global distribution systems (GDS) provider Travelport and Saudi Arabian low cost carrier nasair have confirmed the signing of a new content agreement that will see the Riyadh-based airline distribute its fares through the GDS channel for the first time.
The new multi-year agreement will give Travelport’s Galileo and Worldspan-connected travel agents worldwide access to nasair’s full fare inventory.
In addition to new content agreement, Travelport and nasair have also sealed a strategic airline IT services deal. The low-cost carrier will be implementing Travelport ETDBaseTM, a leading e-ticket database hosting service that stores and manages electronic ticket data for online and interline e-ticketing. Travelport will be offering a bank settlement plan (BSP) for nasair bookings in countries where nasair has joined the local BSP.
“We are proud to be the first GDS provider to work with nasair and look forward to bringing them under our umbrella of participating airlines,” said Will Owen Hughes, Senior Airline Director, Middle East and Africa, Travelport. “This is very good news for our agency subscribers, who will certainly welcome having access to nasair’s unrestricted fares and being able to book them through their preferred GDS.”
Operating from its hub in Riyadh, nasair provides domestic, regional and international services to destinations in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. With an expanding route network, nasair plans to leverage Travelport’s extensive roster of global travel agency affiliates to support its ambitious growth plans.
“As a low cost carrier, we believe that we can reach new heights by tapping into the valuable travel agency distribution channel,” said Francois Bouteillier, CEO of nasair. “Travelport is one of the world’s leading GDS providers, and it makes perfect sense for us to capitalize on its strong industry expertise and global reach.”
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Media Contact:
Baiba Upmale
PR Manager, Middle East
Tel: +971 4 3614836
Email: baiba.upmale@travelport.com
About Travelport (www.travelport.com)
Travelport is a broad-based business services company and a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions to companies operating in the global travel industry.
With a presence in over 170 countries, approximately 3,500 employees and 2011 net revenue of $2.0 billion, Travelport is comprised of the global distribution systems (GDS) business, which includes the Galileo and Worldspan brands and its Airline IT Solutions business.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Travelport is a privately owned company.
Follow Travelport on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Travelport
About NAS Air
Founded in 2007, NAS air is a Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier based in Riyadh. The airline, which is a subsidiary of the National Air Services, serves an extensive domestic network as well as regional and international services to destinations in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.