Southwest and Galileo have announced a 10-year, content distribution agreement.Through the agreement, all of Southwest’s published fares and inventory,
with the exception of Southwest exclusive web fares, will be available late
this year to Galileo-connected travel agencies in North America.
  “We often hear from our business Customers that they want an additional
channel in order to take advantage of the airline with the best Customer
Service, lowest fares, and most flights,” said Kevin Krone, Southwest’s
vice president of sales, marketing, and distribution. “Southwest recognizes
the significant value of Galileo’s distribution channels, and we are
pleased to provide our key travel agent and professional travel manager
partners, who also are Galileo subscribers, with increased access to our
content. This new agreement allows us to reach new Customers who will now
have an opportunity to buy, book, and manage Southwest through the
efficiency of the Galileo GDS channel.”
  Krone said today’s GDS environment has evolved to the point where it
has become a cost effective distribution opportunity which will increase
the reach of Southwest Airlines to new business Customers, including those
that rely upon corporate travel managers.
  “This is a significant milestone which Galileo and its customers can
celebrate,” said Jean Collier, senior director, Supplier Services for
Galileo Americas. “With full access to Southwest Airlines’ fares and
inventory available through our Galileo distribution channels, we are
enabling agencies to provide their customers with the content they want in
the most efficient way.”
  “Galileo is committed to securing new content for our travel agency
customers, and delivering cost-effective and value-added distribution
solutions for our supplier customers,” said David Falter, president,
Galileo Americas. “Southwest content is important to both leisure and
corporate travelers and this agreement ensures they can book it where they
want to. It also builds on the holistic relationship we have with
Southwest, which already uses the Galileo hotel and car rental booking
capabilities on their web site.”
  This agreement is in keeping with Galileo’s focus on bringing access to
new content to its customers. Details of the cost to agents for this
Southwest content will be available shortly.
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