Update on Qantas Channel

Qantas is continuing to work with the industry as it prepares for the launch of the Qantas Channel on 1 August 2019, with new GDS and agency partners having come on board in recent weeks.

The airline is pleased to welcome two new GDS partners Axess and TravelSky to join the Qantas Channel Program, having signed an agreement with Axess and reached an in-principle agreement with TravelSky with the expectation of finalising the TravelSky agreement over the coming weeks.

Qantas also welcomes American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) as the latest key agency partner to finalise their Qantas Channel agreement.

Axess and TravelSky agents who participate in the Qantas Channel will be able to offer customers a wide range of Qantas fares and content, in addition to being exempt from the $17.50 Channel Fee incurred on bookings made by agents who are outside of the channel. Qantas is also working closely with both GDS partners to ensure new content from the NDC-enabled Qantas Distribution Platform will be made available over time.

The positive momentum behind the Qantas Channel continues to build with over 2,500 agencies now registered to participate, including industry leaders ATPI, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Consolidated Travel Group, CT Connections, Expedia Group, Egencia, Flight Centre, Helloworld Limited, Virtuoso and Webjet, who have finalised their Qantas Channel agreements with Qantas.

Qantas Executive Manager, Sales and Distribution, Igor Kwiatkowski said the airline was pleased to see many more partners coming on board with the Qantas Channel in recent months.

"We've seen a lot of positive momentum from the trade and being able to make the Qantas Channel available to Axess and TravelSky customers really reinforces the inclusive approach that has been shown between partners," he said.

"We believe that ultimately the new Qantas Channel program will empower GDS, agency and technology partners to deliver enriched, personalised experiences to our mutual customers, and we see that as good news for the industry as a whole.

"We'll continue to work with more of our partners over the coming weeks in the lead-up to the Qantas Channel going live in August."

Rajiv Ahluwalia, Vice-President Global Supplier Relations for American Express GBT said, "We are pleased to be part of the Qantas Channel program. This agreement is in line with our core distribution principles: to deliver value to our corporate clients through access to relevant content, backed up by seamless servicing capabilities and enhanced user displays. We look forward to working with Qantas."

Qantas continues to work with a range of additional key partners ahead of the Qantas Channel launch on 1 August 2019.

Registration for the Qantas Channel is now open for all agencies. Agencies that have registered are reminded that they must have finalised agreements with their nominated GDS and/or Approved Technology Partners, and have completed the data submission process by no later than 30 June 2019 to ensure they will be eligible to access a wide range of Qantas fares, and be exempt from a Channel Fee when the Qantas Channel goes live from 1 August 2019.