Travelport GDS volumes fall

Galileo and Worldspan owner Travelport has reported a big drop in the number of bookings coming through the global distribution systems (GDSs).

Jeff Clarke, Travelport chief executive, said: “Low travel volumes continue to weigh negatively upon our earnings as a result of the global recessionary environment.”

The number of segments booked through the combined Galileo and Worldspan GDS businesses dropped from 101.4 million in the second quarter of 2008 to 86 million in the same period of this year. The balance between its Americas and International businesses shifted – the Americas handled 43.5 million segments in April-June this year compared with 49.1 million last year, while the international drop was bigger, falling from 52.3 million to 42.5 million.

Travelport’s other main business unit is GTA, which includes Gullivers Travel Associates and consumer-facing bedbanks needahotel and Octopus Travel. Its total transaction value fell from $551 million to $406 million, with room nights dropping by 16%.

Travelport also owns 48% of Orbitz Worldwide. Its stake in this business generated an income of $5 million in the quarter, compared with a $3 million loss last time.

Clarke said: “Despite the difficult environment, Travelport continues to aggressively invest in the next generation of our products and expansion into new markets.”