Travelport, Ethiopian Airlines renew deal 

 

TRAVELPORT and Ethiopian Airlines have renewed their agreement which will see the flag-carrier continue to distribute Travelport Galileo products and services in the country.
Travelport Zambia managing director Terry-Anne Pickard said the exclusive five-year agreement cements the long-standing relationship between the company and airlines.

Mrs Pickard said in a statement availed to the Daily Mail last week that Ethiopia represents one of the fastest growing global distribution systems  industries in Africa, demonstrating a 24 percent year-on-year growth (2011 to 2012).
“Travelport, the business services provider to the travel industry and Ethiopian Airlines have renewed their long-term operator agreement, which will see the flag-carrier continue to distribute Travelport’s Galileo products and services in the country,” she said.
Mrs Pickard said as a result of the new deal, Galileo customers in Ethiopia will continue to benefit from Ethiopian Airlines’ regional expertise, Travelport’s latest products and solutions.
She said some of the benefits are the Travelport Smart-point the next generation booking tool, which has already gained great popularity among travel agents across the Middle-East and Africa.
Travelport managing director for Africa Mark Meehan said, “Since commencing its operations in Ethiopia in 1997, Travelport has always maintained a strong position here, and this part of Africa remains a highly significant area of investment for the company.”
“We now look forward to building on our successful relationship with Ethiopian Airlines, bringing new top-of-the-range Travelport products and services to our customers, and continuing to grow Travelport presence in this important part of the world,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines chief executive officer Tewolde Gebremariam said the company has always enjoyed a successful partnership with Travelport and is looking forward to working closely in launching new products and services for travel agents in the country.
“Together, Travelport and Ethiopian Airlines will continue to deliver a winning combination of leading technology and regional expertise to benefit the travel agent community in Ethiopia,” he said.