Star Alliance selects G2 Switchworks and ITA Software to provide ACAPs

At a signing ceremony held during the recent bi-annual meeting of the Star Alliance CEOs, the alliance concluded contracts with two vendors who will provide so called Alternative Content Access Platforms (ACAPs) to the member carriers. The two companies selected are G2 SwitchWorks and ITA Software.

These contracts are the culmination of a process which began in June 2005. In an effort to reduce the 2 billion US Dollars which the 16 member carriers spend annually on GDS fees.

“By concluding these two agreements, Star Alliance has demonstrated that the work done at an alliance level can very well support the carriers need to adapt to changing market conditions,” said Jaan Albrecht, Star Alliance CEO. “Together with G2 SwitchWorks and ITA Software we will move forward in setting new industry standards in the area of airline distribution.”

Under this umbrella agreement, the member carriers will now enter into detailed discussions with the providers in order to build a tailor-made solution for their specific requirements.

The new distribution technologies will first be implemented in North America and are to be expanded to Asia and Europe within the next 18 months.

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