Qantas launched a new distribution model, the Qantas Channel, today (August 1) which is set to modernise the way agencies book fares and also deliver personalised experiences to customers.
The distribution model is a new agreement between the airline and its agency partners that provides access to a wide range of Qantas fares, products and information for agents.
Agencies who have signed up to the Qantas Channel will be able to offer customers new content, sourced from the NDC-enabled Qantas Distribution Platform (QDP), which is not currently available via traditional indirect booking systems.
The airline has partnered with all of the major Global Distribution Systems to make the channel available to agencies globally.
Igor Kwiatkowski, executive manager sales and distribution for the airline, said the launch of the Qantas Channel was an important milestone in the transformation of the airline?s distribution strategy.
He said: "The launch of the Qantas Channel, together with our new distribution platform will, over time, empower our agency partners to deliver more enriched and personalised experiences for our mutual customers.
"We?ve observed other international airlines adopt new distribution models and recognise that the adoption of the new technology takes time. That?s why we?ve deliberately taken a phased, collaborative approach so that the Qantas Channel, and the new content that it will offer, can be delivered in the most seamless way possible.
?We?ll continue to work closely with our agency partners to prepare for the introduction of the new technology, with the benefits of our new distribution platform expected to start flowing through in the coming months.
?Greater reward and recognition of our Frequent Flyers and the ability to deliver targeted offers for our agency partners are just some of the benefits that are in the pipeline. Ultimately, our vision is to offer our agency partners a bigger toolkit than what they can offer our customers today.?
Agencies that have not registered may incur a channel fee, in addition to no longer being able to access a wide range of traditional fares being made available via indirect channels or having access to the new content via the QDP as it becomes available.
To know more or register, visit http://www.qantasagencyconnect.com/qantas-channel.