Chinese low-cost carrier to distribute through Amadeus

Chinese low-cost carrier Spring Airlines is to make its tickets available to agents via Amadeus technology as it expands its international reach.

Chinese low-cost carrier Spring Airlines is to make its tickets available to agents via Amadeus technology as it expands its international reach.

The Shanghai-based airline increased its international capacity by 165% in the first 10 months of 2015 and placed an order for 60 Airbus A320s.

The new partnership will see Spring Airlines adopt Amadeus Ticketless Access to promote its domestic and international routes through Amadeus’ global travel agency network.

Spring Airlines content is available to Amadeus-connected agents in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau and Taiwan – key growth markets for the airline – and will be expanded to Amadeus subscribers worldwide by the end of the year.

Amadeus saw an 11% year-on-year increase in total bookings on low-cost carriers by travel agencies in 2015. More than 80 budget and hybrid carriers distribute their fares to travel agencies through the GDS.

Spring Airlines chairman, Wang Zhenghua, said: “We have big ambitions to expand both regionally and internationally, and the travel agency channel is a critical component to supporting that growth.

“We are pleased to partner with Amadeus to give the world’s largest network of travel agencies greater access to our low fares, which we expect to translate into increased flight bookings.

“We are confident in Amadeus’ position as a global leader to help us embrace a bigger role in the international market, bringing more travellers into China.”

Amadeus distribution marketing vice president, Decius Valmorbida, added: “Our ‘light’ ticketing technology is unique in the marketplace. It allows travel agents to book flights with low-cost and hybrid carriers in the same way as they do with full-service carriers – bringing great possibilities for growth in the travel agency channel.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with Spring Airlines to support their international expansion with this technology.”