Demonstrating its ongoing leadership in the corporate travel arena, e-Travel, a leading global provider of online travel technology and business unit of Amadeus, is delivering comprehensive and flexible airfare access to its customers through a partnership with FareChase, the leading provider of Web automation technology.

The solution will provide e-Travel`s corporate and business travel agency customers access to travel providers and online travel inventory not available through traditional distribution channels, including low-cost carrier access. The sites searched can be configured by corporate travel managers to match their specific programmes and preferences.

The offering will be included in an upcoming version of e-Travel® Aergo (US) due to be released this autumn and will be incorporated globally in 2003. This new module will not only provide access to Web-only fares, but also to key low-cost carriers that do not publish their schedules and inventory in all global distribution systems. Using the FareChase web automation software, e-Travel customers will be able to display published and negotiated airfares as well as airfares available only from travel Web sites. Travel managers can control which providers are accessed, and also what fares are displayed by indicating that travellers see only fares that are lower than published or negotiated fares. Travellers will be able to book such alternate fares, and the data captured is available for reporting purposes to accurately determine savings achieved.

“FareChase is committed to delivering a state-of-the-art, world-class solution to its partners,” said Krista Pappas, senior vice president of FareChase. “This strategic partnership brings together the powerful technologies of both companies to address marketplace changes, and enables e-Travel to offer the highest level of satisfaction to its customers.”

“We have long recognised and promoted the concept of comprehensive fare access, and as the issue of Web-only fares and low-cost carriers has evolved, e-Travel remains on the forefront by listening to our customers and applying our industry knowledge and expertise,” said Ian Wheeler, e-Travel Managing Director.

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