GDSs Set Fees For BA Content

Global distribution subscribers in the United Kingdom and Ireland beginning today must pay to access British Airways' content. While GDS opt-in programs shield subscribers from BA's £3 per-segment surcharges for "full content," fees to opt in range from £0.50 to £1 per booking, based on fare class.

Galileo's opt-in program went live today, while Sabre in a memo said its clients "have been protected from the BA surcharge until May 1, 2007." Worldspan would not comment on its policy, but earlier this month signed an agreement with BA and noted it too would launch an opt-in program April 10 in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Meanwhile, Amadeus has yet to sign a new content deal with British Airways, but a spokesperson today said it would "reimburse in full the £3 per-segment surcharge incurred by the agencies during the period April 10 to May 1," as it continues to work toward an agreement with the carrier.

Sabre and Galileo sent memos to subscribers detailing similar fee structures, noting charges of £0.50 for bookings in the F, A, J, C, D, I, W, T, Y, B and H fare classes and £1 for K, M, S, Q, O, X, E, G, R, V, N and L bookings. "In essence, the higher opt-in fee of £1 is payable on lower or discounted fares," a Galileo spokesperson noted.

A British Airways spokesperson today said that "talks continue with Amadeus, and we remain hopeful of reaching an agreement with them as we have with Galileo, Sabre and Worldspan."