Payments for GDS bookings and other approved third party distribution channels via the airline”s Application Programme Interface have been cut to a fixed ”3.30 or ”4 fee per seat. The set rate replaces a variable fee of up to ”5 or ”7.50, depending on the number of seats booked.
Easyjet introduced GDS distribution on Galileo and Amadeus at the start of the year, bucking the trend for no-frills airlines to sell only via the internet. It did so because of the relatively high usage of the airline by business travellers.
Easyjet argues that it has to levy a fee on GDSs in order to cover the extra cost of using this booking tool. However, it also wants to drive more customers to its own website.
Like Ryanair, it launched a crackdown on third-party sites, saying that it ”expected” travel management companies to only book on the GDS, or direct via the Easyjet website, rather than on ”screen scrapers” - third-party agencies which compare fares from different airlines.
However, Easyjet has since extended an olive branch to screen scrapers, giving them the opportunity to use its API system ” the ”pipe” that connects to Easyjet”s reservations system - in return for a booking fee identical to that levied on GDS sales
Easyjet”s distribution development manager, Jerry Dunn, said most of the big name screen scrapers, such as TravelTech, had now complied. He said the changes had been made in full consultation with the Institute of Travel Management.
”We have tried to come up with a price that is more acceptable to the business travel community to book with us,” he said. He admitted some travel management companies had been uncomfortable with the previous GDS fees. ”One of the reasons is that screen scrapers have been selling our flights without a fee,” he said. ”Hopefully, in the coming weeks and months, we will put everyone on a level playing field.”
ITM chair Caroline Strachan commented: ”Whilst we would have liked to have seen POS fees removed entirely, Easyjet is to be applauded for taking the time to consult with our members.”
Gary Noakes