Airline ancillary services sales rise strongly in the first half of the year
Following an excellent 2015, which saw a 95% year-on-year increase in sales of airline ancillary services through Amadeus-connected travel agencies, the number of airlines signing up or activating merchandising solutions during the first half of 2016 has reached a record high.
Throughout this period,17 new airlines have signed up for Amadeus' distribution channel merchandising solutions, the system used by the vast majority of agencies in Spain. A further 25 have activated those already previously subscribed.
During the first six months of 2016, an increase of 80% in the sale of ancillary services of airlines through the Amadeus distribution channel was recorded, mainly through the more than thirty worldwide OTAs.
While increasing their revenues, they benefit from a seamless flow of marketing involving multiple carriers, as well as additional flight features that enhance the end-to-end comparison and shopping experience already enjoyed by consumers.
The current economic climate is leading to the opening of new frontiers. Thus, at the beginning of the year, Egencia entered this area through Amadeus Airline Ancillary Services. This represents the opening of a new space in the corporate travel segment, where TMCs are progressively incorporating merchandising functions into their offerings for business travelers.
“Travelers are no longer just looking for the best price, but also the best value, and by displaying dynamic content through the booking flow, travel agencies and airlines can bring travel agents and airlines closer to their customers;
Airlines can bring agents and consumers closer to those unique features that define their brands and differentiate their offerings, notes Pedro Espín, associate director of Merchandising and Personalization at Amadeus.