CitizenPlane launches new operating system for airlines

It simplifies operations and unlocks revenue opportunity

Distribution software company for airlines and tour operators CitizenPlane has announced the launch of the CitizenPlane Operating System (OS) for mid-tier carriers and fast-growing airlines. 

The modular, all-in-one platform enables airlines to control offer creation, revenue optimisation, distribution, and delivery.  

The industry-first offering leverages CitizenPlane’s recent acquisition of Passenger Service System (PSS) provider Travel Technology Interactive’s (TTI) Zenith software. 

Looking ahead, CitizenPlane plans to further enhance its OS capabilities, to include for example, revenue accounting and crew management solutions, through strategic acquisitions and product innovation.

The CitizenPlane OS builds on, extends, and modernises the traditional PSS concept by breaking down a monolithic approach into easy-to-innovate cloud-based applications. The result is a modular, one-stop-shop platform. 

It features a "market-first" flight distribution solution - AIR. The AIR module enables airlines and tour operators to instantly distribute inventory, outside of the GDS, to a host of online travel agencies (OTAs) and metasearch websites including eDreams, Skyscanner, and LastMinute.com. 

This solves a major pain point for smaller airlines without easy, low-cost access to large-scale distribution channels. 

To complement their distribution strategy, airlines can also use the module to grow incremental revenue and increase load factor from marketing unsold seats.

“Our vision is that all airlines will be able to benefit from effective innovation,” said Charles Rajjou, CEO at CitizenPlane.

“We are building on the technology foundations laid by the pioneers who have delivered the industry to the thriving business it is today and bringing to the table a laser-focus on elegant simplicity that has become our hallmark.”

The new CitizenPlane OS enables airline business users to define and control its retailing strategy from creation of flight content, ancillaries and bundled offers, to distribution through any point-of-sale, in alignment with industry standards including IATA NDC. 

It features a database that centralises customer and purchase information, sharing it in real-time with relevant systems, staff and customers to support seamless experiences across the end-to-end journey.

“Much of the transformative change we hear about in the industry is led by the Top Tier airlines,” said Grégoire Echalier, CEO of TTI. 

“We believe innovation shouldn’t stop at airlines who carry 10m passengers a year or more - it’s time to lower the barrier-of-entry so more will benefit. 

"We are here to secure the future of mid-tier airlines and it’s great to be part of that movement through the merger with CitizenPlane.”

On the back of the acquisition, CitizenPlane’s airline customer portfolio now encompasses over 80 airlines around the world, including TAP Air Portugal, Royal Air Maroc, and Corendon Airlines.

The firm have hinted new customers will be announced soon.