Galileo Enhances Indochina Airline Content

Galileo International has begun distributing the services of Lao Airlines and Phuket Air to Galileo-powered travel agencies. Two existing participant airlines in Galileo - Bangkok Airways and Siem Reap Airways - have upgraded their participation to Interactive Sell™ and Interactive Display™.

"We are actively expanding our airline content to the benefit of our agency subscribers both in terms of bringing new airlines into Galileo and enhancing participation levels of existing suppliers," said Janie Kaung, executive vice president and managing director of Galileo's Asia Pacific region. "These new service levels with these four airlines underscore our solid track record in the growing travel markets of Indochina. We look forward to helping these regional airlines extend their market reach."

The Laos government is conducting a three-year overhaul of its state-owned national carrier. The revamp covers domestic and international flights, with additional aircraft facilitating increased frequencies. Lao Airlines aims to support the growth of tourism to Laos and expand the airline's market share on routes into and out of the country. Lao Airlines is participating in Galileo at Standard Level which enables travel agents to improve productivity through automating the hitherto manual process of calling the airline to make reservations for their clients.

Lao Airlines currently employs 320 people and operates domestic routes as well as international routes with destinations in Thailand, Cambodia, China and Vietnam.

Bangkok Airways and Siem Reap Airways have been in Galileo since 1995 and 2000 respectively. Their upgrade to Interactive Sell means they are now participating at the highest level that directly assists the sell process. Phuket Airlines is shortly also to be activated at Galileo's Interactive Sell level.

The main benefit of Interactive Sell to travel agents is that it allows them to provide real-time bookings to their customers and offer instant confirmations. Additionally, the airline provides its own reference number to agents to guarantee bookings. The main benefit to airlines is that Interactive Sell enhances yield management by giving them the opportunity to sell every last seat on a flight.

Interactive Display additionally allows travel agents to easily view up-to-the-minute airline schedules and availability status.