FLYSAFAIR has opened bookings up to May 2020. Kirby Gordon, head of sales and distribution for the airline, says: “Tour operators like to have the ability to book in advance. They want to have confirmed prices so they can market their packages accordingly.” A recent TNW poll found that 84% of agents had been asked to book a flight more than a year in advance. Why are flights not available more than a year ahead? “A lot has to do with planning slots from the airport, which is a difficult negotiation,” says Kirby. “There are times in the year when it’s difficult to get your planned slot but if you’ve previously had one, you get historical first rights and as you become a more established airline, you can start cashing in on these ‘historicals’ to get the slots you want.”
A spokesperson for Travelport said there was demand from agents to make flights bookable on the GDS more than 11 months in advance because tour operators, hotels and cruise operators were now releasing the availability for their programmes at least 12 months in advance. Operators and agents need the air content to match these programmes and therefore want access to fares and availability in advance. “This is particularly important in specialist segments, for example weddings and honeymoons,” the spokesperson says.
Specialist demand Kirby agrees that specialist segments are important, saying demand for forward booking is high among those planning conferences and also for commuters, who will book ahead for the whole year once the airline
schedules are published. However, Jannine Adams, senior marketing manager of Amadeus Southern Africa, says there is no major demand Amadeus is aware of. “For advance booking requirements, agents and travellers have to adhere to fare rules and ticket validity,” she says. “Certain fares allow for one free date change, which is especially useful for tickets requiring advance booking.” When asked why this forward booking capability was not widely offered, the Travelport spokesperson said agents were able to book flights more than 11 months in advance with particular airlines. “This is dependent on the airline and its host system being able to support and provide inventory and availability that far in advance.” Kirby says the benefits of this scheme are simple: the earlier you book, the better the fares.
