HONG KONG, April 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Galileo International, a
leading global distribution services company and subsidiary of Cendant Corp.
(NYSE: CD), today announced it has reached agreement for the participation of
Australia's leading low-fare airline Virgin Blue.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000208/GALILEO )
Galileo provides a simplified level of distribution to low-fare airlines
like Virgin Blue that have no need for complex functionality to support their
streamlined business models. At the same time, Galileo-connected travel agents
get a much faster booking method than they would by going to the airline Web
site and booking online.
"Galileo has developed technology and commercial options to address the
distribution strategies of the low-cost carriers and we are delighted at the
prospect of working with Virgin Blue in this regard," said Janie Kaung,
executive vice president and managing director of Galileo's Asia Pacific
region.
"Our distribution will perfectly complement Virgin Blue's low-fare,
high-quality business model, allowing them to compete effectively in the key
corporate market and expanding their distribution internationally. Virgin
Blue's decision to distribute via Galileo follows the decision by Virgin
Express in Europe to join Galileo at the end of 2000 and we are delighted to
have this chance to work with Virgin in the Australian market. We are
currently working with Virgin Blue's technical teams to enable implementation
as quickly as possible," added Kaung.
Virgin Blue Global Sales Manager, Jon Marshall, added: "We're extremely
pleased to be able to participate in Galileo for our top-end corporate market.
This allows corporate travel agencies to use an effective tool to present
Virgin Blue as a strongly competitive, best-fare proposition to their clients.
Our move into Galileo gives us global distribution and therefore access to
international markets that may otherwise be unaware of the Virgin Blue
offering in Australia. As Australia's second largest carrier, we believe this
new relationship will assist us in opening new markets and growing our
domestic market share beyond our current 30% level."
About Galileo International
Galileo International is a global technology leader. Its core business is
providing electronic global distribution services for the travel industry
through its computerized reservation systems, leading-edge products and
innovative Internet-based solutions. Galileo is a value-added distributor of
travel inventory dedicated to supporting its travel supplier, agency and
corporate customers and, through them, expanding traveler choice. A
subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD), Galileo is part of Cendant's
Travel Distribution Services Division and is headquartered in Parsippany, New
Jersey, USA, with offices worldwide. Visit http://www.galileo.com.
About Virgin Blue
Virgin Blue is Australia's award-winning, low-fare airline servicing every
capital city and a number of regional destinations across the country. The
airline was recently named the world's "Best Low Cost Carrier" in the
TravelQuality.com 2003 aviation awards, taking top honours ahead of well-known
low-fare airlines US-based Southwest, UK carrier easyJet and Irish carrier
Ryanair. Virgin Blue operates a fleet of 28 aircraft including the brand new,
high-tech Next Generation Boeing 737 and employs over 2,200 team members.
Based in Brisbane, Queensland, Virgin Blue is committed to long-term low fares
and outstanding customer service.
SOURCE Galileo International
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Related links:
http://www.galileo.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000208/GALILEO
CONTACT:
Stuart Ridsdale of Galileo Asia,
+852-2821-2301, stuart.ridsdale@galileo.com; Dawn Lyon of Travel
Distribution Services, +1-973-496-5870, dawn.lyon@cendant.com
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