Travelport and United Arab Emirates-based RAK Airways have jointly announced their first ever GDS participation agreement.

Under the new deal, Galileo and Worldspan-connected users worldwide will gain access to all of RAK Airways fares and inventory with immediate effect.

“The deal between the two companies will enable RAK Airways to widen its distribution base considerably.

“Offering our customers better access and more choice is important to us and this agreement will help us deliver this,” said John Brayford, chief executive, RAK Airways.

“Travelport’s extensive global network complements our ambitious expansion plans and this agreement will really help serve RAK Airways’ future distribution needs.”

Travelport confirmed that the deal formed part of its ongoing strategy to aggregate the broadest range of airline content into its GDS channel for travel agency customers worldwide.

“We are thrilled to be signing our first participation agreement with RAK Airways,” said Will Owen Hughes, business development director for Travelport in the Middle East and Africa.

“It very much forms part of our ongoing strategy to work hand in hand with the country’s national carriers to maximise the growth potential of this important travel region.”