Lao Central Airlines and Amadeus Sign Global Agreement
Amadeus, a leading travel technology partner and transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry, and newly launched Lao Central Airlines (LCA), Laos’ first independent airline, today announces a global distribution agreement which will provide travel agents worldwide complete access to the new airline’s entire range of fares, domestic and international schedules and inventories.
The landmark agreement makes Amadeus the first global distribution system to offer Lao Central Airlines content since the airline began domestic operations earlier this year, followed by the recent launch of international routes on 3rd May 2012.
Savanhphone Phongsavanh, CEO of Lao Central Airlines said, “Laos as a country is becoming an increasingly active member of the global travel community with air transport links in and around the country critical to the nation’s development. Lao Central Airlines is committed to supporting that development with a rapid growth strategy including plans to introduce two additional jet aircraft to the fleet by 2014.”
“We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world’s leading travel technology company, making LCA’s content available to the Amadeus network of over 91,000 travel agents, providing us with true global distribution. Through the agreement, Amadeus subscribing agents across the world will have complete access to our content to provide comprehensive travel options to their customers.”
Travel agencies worldwide will access Lao Central Airlines content through the Amadeus Selling Platform, the most used retail application for travel professionals. Agents will experience the highest level of booking connectivity for LCA content, enabling the global Amadeus network real time access to the airline’s schedule and availability information while communicating directly with airline’s inventory system when making a booking, receiving instant confirmation. The carrier will also implement the Amadeus e-ticketing solution which will see travel agents benefit from significant cost reduction and boost efficiency when issuing tickets for the airline.
John Chapman, Vice President, Airline Group Amadeus Asia Pacific commented, “We are excited to now offer Lao Central Airlines content to the global Amadeus community and are particularly pleased to have additional content in the growing Laos aviation market. Today’s airline industry is highly competitive and a new and expanding carrier like Lao Central Airlines will benefit from Amadeus’ extensive global network of travel agents, elevating them onto a platform alongside established international airlines.”
“Today’s announcement further reinforces Amadeus’ position as the leading provider of travel distribution for airlines in the Asia Pacific region, and highlights our commitment to providing innovative and tailored products that meet our customer’s specific needs,” added Chapman.
