Inside Track - 2006-12-04

British Airways Seeks New GDS Model

British Airways is seeking cost reductions in its global distribution system agreements, which expire early next year. Executive vice president of the Americas Robin Hayes told BTN the carrier also seeks a change in the distribution model, following the legacy U.S. carriers' success this year in shifting costs. "The model of GDSs charging high fees to airlines so they can recycle that money back to travel agents is not a model that stands to the test of time," he said. Hayes said BA remains in discussions with the major GDSs to come to new terms, but is not ruling out nonparticipation if the terms are not right for BA.



TSA Clears Registered Traveler Program

The Transportation Security Administration last month accredited Verified Identity Pass to launch nationally its Clear program, which promises to speed travelers through airport security checkpoints. Verified said it is the first company to gain TSA approval for its Registered Traveler program, paving the way for the company to begin installing and operating lanes this month at British Airways' Terminal 7 at New York-JFK, and Cincinnati, Indianapolis and San Jose airports, the company said. TSA last month also set a $28 fee for performing security-threat assessments on registrants, as well as other government-imposed expenses for the program.



Amadeus to Offer Enhanced Booking Tool

Amadeus later this month expects to release a new version of its E-Travel Management self-booking tool, the company announced late last week. Most of the tool's new features—such as an enhanced flight matrix and simplified profile management options—already are available on other booking engines, but the upgraded solution for the first time will allow users to view fares that include a company's rebate, which Amadeus said will help direct travelers to book flights that may incur year-end savings for employers.



Hilton Expands Into India

Hilton Hotels Corp. will develop and own 75 hotels and serviced apartments in the next seven years in India through a joint venture with Delhi-based real estate developer DLF Limited, the company announced Tuesday. The project will begin with 20 hotels—largely Hilton Garden Inn properties—in areas including Chandigarh, Chennai and Kolkata. The plan calls for Hilton to invest up to $143 million in the venture, of which DLF will hold a 74 percent stake.