Australian travel technology provider Aeronology has launched a corporate booking tool, Taero, that it says is designed to "complement and service" bookings not available through online booking tools.
With Taero, Aeronology aims "to collaborate with all [travel management company and] corporate air channel services to simplify, reduce costs and increase productivity 24/7, no matter where in the world the business sits," according to Aeronology founder and CEO Russell Carstensen. "Taero's marketing focus will be directed to TMCs and corporate booking tool users, and because Taero connects to all [New Distribution Capability, low-cost carrier and global distribution system] PNRs generated by TMCs, all other OBTs' servicing can be done by Taero."
That connectivity includes the three major GDSs and China's TravelSky as well as proprietary technology that connects and provides full self-service to NDC bookings with Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian and Emirates, according to the company. It said it would add British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and American Airlines within the next few months.
LCC content on Taero includes Jetstar and Scoot.
Self-servicing capabilities in Taero include changing flights, managing bag allowances and seats and such special service requests as meals and mobility needs. It also can connect to visa, health and passport requirements.
With its "middleware" approach, Aeronology plans to collaborate with the TMC of the customers using Taero, even if those customers are contracting directly with Aeronology. It will provide self-service applications to the TMC, and it can connect via API to such TMC services as reporting, hotels, carbon footprint calculation and traveler compliance and safety.
"The Taero business model is to provide overall service improvements at all levels of the air booking process, with some estimates of large cost savings a the TMC level and at the same time saving for the corporate travel arranger and traveler," according to Carstensen.