Cendant sets up a centralised air buying team in the UK

Cendant Travel Distribution Services has paved way for multi-channel distribution opportunities for airlines in the UK by setting up a centralised air buying team.

Through its new initiative, the company will deliver benefits to airlines by giving them a central point of contact for commercial and contracting activities for Travel 2 Travel 4, ebookers, Travelbag and interline bookers to provide multi-channel on and off-line distribution of their products.

The centralised air buying team will be led by business development directors David Gibbs and Laura Lukan, following their arrival from Travel 2 Travel 4 and Travelocity, respectively.

Matthew Hall, vice president - Airline Business Development, EMEA said, “Their (specialised team) focus is to develop agreements that create a win/win situation for both parties; airlines get the widest possible distribution and new revenue opportunities and Cendant continues to play a pivotal role in travel distribution. Working with the airlines we have been able to sign excellent deals as individual companies over the past few years, however, as a single entity, we are in a much better position to demonstrate our relevance and to deliver benefits to our partners.”

“In today’s intensely competitive travel industry, airlines are looking for partners who are innovative retailers, ready to open up new revenue streams through a variety of comprehensive inventory distribution options. Cendant recognises this demand, and via its retail brands such as ebookers, Travel 2 Travel 4 and Travelbag, is in a unique position to offer airlines these revenue opportunities easily and efficiently, as well as providing additional opportunities through its enterprise-wide content providers like gta and OctopusTravel,” stated an official release.