Galileo India is First GDS in the Country to Obtain BSP Approval for Issuing e-Tickets

Galileo International today announced that Galileo India has become the first GDS in the country to receive certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) to offer e-ticketing in India.

Galileo now has authority to process e-tickets for travel agencies throughout India. The first e-ticket was issued by Thomas Cook in Mumbai - one of Galileo's leading subscribers in that market - on United Airlines for sectors BOM/FRA/ORD/FRA/BOM (Mumbai-Frankfurt-Chicago-Frankfurt-Mumbai). The e-ticket was in the name of Mr. Subramaniam Ramadorai, CEO, Tata Consultancy Services, and was issued by Mr. Ashwini Kakkar, CEO and Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Limited.

Galileo India has now embarked on full-scale deployment of e-ticketing across travel agencies in the country. Besides United Airlines, British Airways and KLM are ready for e-ticketing on Galileo.

"We are delighted that we can now offer e-ticketing to our subscribers in this major marketplace and warmly welcome the fact that we are first to market in India," said Janie Kaung, executive vice president and managing director of Galileo's Asia Pacific region. "E-tickets are clearly growing in popularity and we are firmly committed to expanding our e-ticketing capability to as many Asia Pacific markets as possible."

Ms Seema Luthra, President and CEO, Galileo India, added: "Many airlines have already shown interest in issuing e-tickets in India. Worldwide, over 47 airlines across 38 countries participate with Galileo for e-ticketing. We have already activated United Airlines, British Airways and KLM. The balance will soon be able to offer e-ticketing through Galileo to their customers in India too. Domestic Indian carriers will also participate in Galileo for e-ticketing soon."

In Asia Pacific, Galileo offers e-ticketing in Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, Thailand and now India on 18 airlines in total.