HONG KONG, April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Galileo International, a
leading global distribution services (GDS) company and subsidiary of Cendant
Corp. (NYSE: CD), today announced that the number of mainland China airlines
it distributes has increased more than three-fold from 4 to 14. The increase
results from the recent decision by Hainan Airlines to participate in Galileo
and from the People's Republic of China (PRC) Government consolidation policy
that is placing six of China's key regional airlines under the control of
three main carriers. Taken together, these two developments mean Galileo
agency subscribers have real-time access to better China content than ever
before.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020729/GALILEOLOGO2 )
Hainan Airlines, China's fourth largest carrier, and all mainland Chinese
carriers are participating at the highest level that directly impacts the sell
process -- a level known as Interactive Sell and sometimes referred to as
Inside Link-Last Seat. The highest participation level allows agents to make
real-time bookings and offer instant confirmation to passengers, with the
airline giving its own reference number to agents to guarantee the booking.
Interactive Sell enhances yield management for airlines by giving them the
opportunity to sell every last seat on a flight. With its travel agency
subscriber network currently extending to 47,000 agency locations in 115
countries, Galileo will provide global distribution to Hainan Airlines.
The consolidation of the regional airlines under existing Galileo
participant airlines -- Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern
Airlines (China's three largest carriers) -- means Galileo-connected agents
will also now be able to book flights operated by China's key regional
carriers. Those key regional carriers comprise: China Southwest Airlines and
China National Aviation Corp (CNAC-Zhejiang Airlines); China Northwest
Airlines and Yunnan; and China Northern Airlines and Xinjiang Airlines.
"The welcome addition of Hainan Airlines, along with airlines it manages,
and the PRC's consolidation policy has significantly enriched our content and
brings immediate benefits to our travel agency customers," said Janie Kaung,
executive vice president and managing director of Galileo's Asia Pacific
region. "Our subscribers can now serve customers flying to China with a much
broader range of options for extended itineraries between Chinese cities than
ever before. Galileo's worldwide reach allows us to market key Chinese
airlines very effectively."
Yang Jian Hong, general manager of sales & marketing, Hainan Airlines,
added: "We are seeking to sell our product as widely as possible, especially
as we are extending our operations into the international arena. We are
confident Galileo will bring us global exposure as our overseas network
grows."
Galileo started representing airlines on the mainland in 1996, when it
announced the highest level of connectivity with Air China and China Eastern
Airlines. More than 500 airlines already participate in Galileo's systems.
Galileo also provides its agency customers with inventory and information on
more than 30 car rental suppliers, 51,000 hotel properties, 430 tour
operators, and all major cruise lines throughout the world.
About Hainan Airlines
Hainan Airlines was established by the restructuring of the former Hainan
Provincial Airlines Company in January 1993 and started operations in May the
same year. With over 2,600 employees and a fleet of 79 aircraft, it serves
more than 80 major cities in China and ranks fourth among the carriers on the
mainland. In November 1999, Hainan Airlines was granted permission to operate
scheduled and non-scheduled international flights from Hainan province to
Southeast Asia and neighbouring countries. At present, Hainan Airlines
operates international flights from Sanya to Seoul, regional flights from
Sanya to Macau, and charter flights from Sanya to Kuala Lumpur, and Sanya to
Singapore. The airline also manages three passenger airlines -- Chang'an
Airlines, Shanxi Airlines and China Xinhua Airlines -- as well as the
corporate jet operator Deer Jet.
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, 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 Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division
Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division is one of the world's
largest and most geographically diverse collections of travel distribution
businesses. The division, employing some 5,000 people in 115 countries,
includes: Galileo, a leading global distribution system (GDS) serving more
than 47,000 travel agencies and over 51,000 hotels; hotel distribution and
services businesses (Trust, THOR, WizCom); leading travel agencies, including
Cheap Tickets and Lodging.com; an airline market intelligence company; and
Highwire, a corporate travel booking company.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
-- Beijing-based Air China has taken over China Southwest Airlines and
China National Aviation Corp (CNAC-Zhejiang Airlines). The new group
has more than 300 domestic and international routes.
-- The Shanghai-based parent of China Eastern has taken over China
Northwest Airlines and Yunnan Airlines. The China Eastern Group also
acquired Great Wall Airlines in May 2001 before the PRC Government
consolidation. The new group has more than 400 domestic and
international routes.
-- Guangzhou-based Southern Airlines Group, parent of China Southern has
taken over China Northern Airlines and Xinjiang Airlines. The new
group has more than 600 domestic and international routes.
-- Shanghai Airlines commenced participation in Galileo in September
2000.
SOURCE Galileo International
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Related links:
http://www.galileo.com
http://www.Lodging.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020729/GALILEOLOGO2
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840
CONTACT:
Stuart Ridsdale of Galileo Asia,
+852-2821-2301, stuart.ridsdale@galileo.com; or Dawn Lyon of
Cendant Travel Distribution Services, +1-973-496-5870,
Tds.CorpCom@cendant.com
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