Italian carrier distributing bags, lounge access and insurance to Travelport-connected agents
Rome, Italy, 2013-03-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Travelport, a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data for the global travel industry, and Alitalia, Compagnia Aerea Italiana, today announce the completed rollout of ancillary services to Travelport-connected agencies in Italy.
The content, which includes the distribution of bags, lounge access and insurance, will be fulfilled seamlessly through an electronic miscellaneous document (EMD). It forms part of Travelport’s strategy to enable airlines to sell their products in an efficient and integrated way through travel agents.
“Our travellers expect us to offer the full Alitalia product in a quick and efficient manner,” said Alfredo Pezzani, General Director of Cisalpina Tours, the leading Italian Travel Management Company, member and founder of RADIUS – Global Travel Solutions. “Adding this content to Travelport has enabled us to meet that need and provide the best possible experience.”
“The sale of ancillary services is an important part of our growth strategy” commented Aldo Ponticelli, Alitalia Distribution Vice President. “Our merchandising partnership with Travelport completes the Italian trade channel coverage for the distribution of our full offering to the travelling public, with particular focus on business travellers.”
“Completing this rollout with Alitalia delivers increased choice to both agents and travellers,” added Robin Ranken, Head of Airline Relationships for Europe at Travelport. “We are delighted to have worked successfully with Alitalia to enable them to sell their products more intelligently and grow their revenues through Travelport-connected agents.”
Over the past 16 months, Travelport and Alitalia have successfully integrated ancillary services seamlessly into agency points of sale in many other countries worldwide.
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About Travelport (www.travelport.com)
Travelport is a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions and data to companies operating in the global travel industry.
With a presence in over 170 countries, approximately 3,500 employees and 2012 net revenue of more than $2.0 billion, Travelport is comprised of the global distribution system (“GDS”) business, which includes the Galileo and Worldspan brands, its Airline IT Solutions business and a majority joint venture ownership in eNett.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Travelport is a privately owned company.
Follow Travelport on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Travelport
About Alitalia
Alitalia – Compagnia Aerea Italiana is Italy’s leading airline with an operating fleet of 142 aircraft (February 2013) and a network of 79 destinations in Italy and worldwide (winter season 2012-2013). The Alitalia network is based at 7 airports: Rome, Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, Turin, Venice, Naples and Catania. Alitalia is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and of the airline industry’s leading trans-Atlantic Joint Venture with Air France-KLM Group and Delta Air Lines. In 2012 Alitalia received, for the third year in a row, the award for the category ‘Best Airline Cuisine’ as best airline in the world for the quality of it’s on board meals. The prize has been awarded by the American magazine Global Traveler. More information on www.alitalia.com.
Media Contacts
Ellen Clark
Senior Communications Manager
Travelport
e: ellen.clark@travelport.com
t: (UK) +44 1753 288 405
m:(Eur) +44 7764 618 132
Alitalia
Antonella Zivillica
VP Media Relations
Tel. 06-65638950
Email. ufficio.stampa@alitalia