A change in the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Computerised Reservation System (CRS) regulation means that for the first time, foreign airlines will have the choice of using global distribution systems to distribute air fare to travel agents in China. However, airlines in China will not have this option.
The new regulation sets in on October 1, 2012. Speaking about the market opening, David Brett, president, Amadeus Asia Pacific said, "The new regulations are an important step in bringing positive change to the current travel landscape in China. The regulations will enable a new technology infrastructure that will allow for a more dynamic travel booking market with more travel products on offer that will greatly benefit the Chinese travel industry and Chinese travellers."
Amadeus provides access to over 420 bookable airlines, 110,000+ hotels, 30 car rental companies, 50+ cruise and ferry lines, 24+ insurance provider groups. Amadeus provides IT to 142 airlines around the world, including 75 per cent of oneworld, 64 per cent of Star Alliance and 53 per cent of Skyteam airlines. This includes providing e-commerce technologies that power the international websites of Chinese airlines such as Air China, China Southern and Hainan Airlines.
Its entry into the Chinese travel industry will enable travel agents to adopt cutting edge technology that will eliminate the need to memorise lengthy commands for booking flights and will help to ensure booking quality by issuing point-to-point market and GDS fare tickets. |
