THE Qantas Channel, the
airline’s new distribution
arm, came online earlier
this month, with 90% of
the airline’s retail agency
business worldwide signing
up to the platform.
Agents have raised
concerns about the
functionality of the channel,
including the ability to
reissue tickets, change the
date and book through-fares
– functionalities agents rely
on in their GDSs.
Because the system works
within the GDS, agents can
continue working as normal,
says Michi Messner, Qantas
regional manager for Africa.
“All functionalities
available in the GDS
remain. This includes the
ability to re-issue, re-route,
change dates, etc.
“Qantas encourages
agencies to speak to their
GDS or technology partner
to better understand their
technical delivery timelines
of the NDC-enabled Qantas
Channel,” she says.
Registration is still open
for agents and it is at no
cost, says Michi. Agents
must, however, agree to
new terms with their GDSs.
Agents without an Iata
number must register for a
Travel Industry Designator
Service (Tids) number.
“If an agency decides not
to register for the Qantas
Channel they will remain
in the public channel. The
agency will no longer be
eligible to sell all existing
ATPCO Qantas published
and private fares in N, Q, O
and E classes for itineraries
that commence in Australia
or New Zealand, which are
progressively being removed
from the public channel as
of August 1 for itineraries
commencing in Australia;
and from October 1 for
itineraries commencing in
New Zealand,” says Michi.
Agents not registered will
also be subject to a YR tax
of R170 per segment.
The airline hopes to
deliver new benefits for
its trade partners over the
next few 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,” says Qantas head
office executive manager of
sales and distribution, Igor
Kwiatkowski.
