American Airlines and the UK-based Hogg Robinson Group, which is represented in Ireland by Club Travel, have agreed in principle to explore a long-term arrangement for the benefit of their corporate clients, in which HRG would receive guaranteed direct long-term access to American’s fares, schedules, and customised travel products and services.
HRG said it would plan to access American’s content through the airline’s Direct Connect link using its own technology, either directly or via a global distribution system (GDS) application programming interface (API).
American Airlines is in dispute with GDS providers Sabre and Travelport over the cost of being on a GDS and wants to expand use of its own online Direct Connect channel. However, American recently extended its full-content agreement with Travelport; that with Sabre is due for renewal on 31st August.
