Galileo International Welcomes Asia-Pacific Start-Up - Australian Airlines - as Participant

Qantas subsidiary Australian Airlines recently elected to distribute its services through Galileo International, a leading provider of electronic global distribution services (GDS) for the travel industry.

Travel agency and corporate customers of Galileo are now able to access the full schedules, inventory and fares of this start-up airline. Australian Airlines commences operations on 27th October from its base in Cairns, Queensland, to leisure destinations in Asia.

"With the addition of this new Asia Pacific carrier as a participant in the Galileo® reservation system, we are able to offer even richer content to the 47,000-plus Galileo-connected travel agency locations," said Janie Kaung, executive vice president and managing director of Galileo's Asia Pacific region. "We look forward to assisting this airline in establishing a top-class distribution network as it builds its brand and services."

Australian Airlines joins the 500 plus airlines already participating in the Galileo system. Galileo also provides its agency customers with inventory and information on 34 car rental companies, 51,000 hotel properties, 431 tour operators, and major cruise lines throughout the world.

Australian Airlines has chosen to deploy Galileo's Interactive Display™ product. Interactive Display allows travel agents to view and retrieve critical data in real time from an airline's system. This ensures agents will view Australian Airlines' up-to-the minute data including last-seat availability, complete fares data, and comprehensive service information. Revenue opportunities to the airline are greatly enhanced with the ability to customize flights and classes displayed to GDS subscribers, and with increased potential for every last seat to be sold.

About Australian Airlines

Australian Airlines is wholly-owned by Qantas Airways Limited but managed separately, under Australian Airlines Chief Executive Denis Adams, and operating independently of Qantas. It is a full service international leisure carrier, operating one aircraft type and offering a single high level of service including meals and snacks, the most modern comfortable seating, and inflight entertainment.