Abacus International has shared that it is the first travel provider in Asia to implement its advanced end-to-end technology platform for the AirAsia group of carriers, providing the airlines additional revenue streams through ancillary services.

Published: 16 Jul 2010

Abacus International has shared that it is the first travel provider in Asia to implement its advanced end-to-end technology platform for the AirAsia group of carriers, providing the airlines additional revenue streams through ancillary services.

AirAsia, Asia’s largest low-cost carrier (LCC) recently migrated to the enhanced Abacus proprietary system.

The upgrade provides travel agents an additional source of revenue via the ability to offer bookings of ancillary items, automated infant seat reservations, search mask usability and Asian language support.

“The unbundling of airlines services – previously the domain of the LCC – is a hot trend in the travel industry, with many airlines and travel agents incorporating it as an essential part of their business strategy,” said Brett Henry, vice president, marketing of Abacus International.

Henry said, “Airlines unbundling their services also allow travel agents to elevate their business offerings by being creative in their packaging of products and services for their customers. They can customise each offering to meet customers’ specific needs, thereby providing further value-add and creating that competitive difference.”

Based on the success evidenced and additional revenue potential of unbundling ancillary services, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) has forecasted that airlines worldwide are expected to generate USD58 billion in ancillaries this year, or 12 percent of the airlines’ global revenue.