Galileo International says that it has successfully implemented a new automated service fee solution in accordance with the Airline Tariff Publishing Company’s (ATPCO) new industry standards. With this enhancement, Galileo’s customers are able to benefit from more timely and accurate application of airline service fees, known in the industry as YQ/YR fees. Used by airlines to apply fuel and insurance surcharges, this data was previously sent directly to the GDS on an ad-hoc basis and relied on manual intervention to make it available to the end user. 

The new process allows airlines to code their service fee structure directly with ATPCO.  This information is received in an automated format along with the daily fares and rules transmissions, and is automatically updated in the Galileo 360¡ Fares database. This automation allows airlines to have greater control of their displayed fees, and gives travel agents greater confidence that any fare and associated fees they see, are exactly as the airline intended.

Galileo has also become the first GDS to tackle the real business and process challenge of handling fluctuating airline imposed fuel and insurance surcharges, especially after they have issued an air ticket. Galileo is updating its Fare Guarantee Policy, effective 01 May 2006, to include a new component, which means that the YQ/YR surcharge costs agents see at the time they issue the ticket will be the final costs they pay, subject to the specific terms of the new policy. This change applies to tickets issued from 12th January 2006, meaning travel agents no longer face the problem of retrospective invoices (ADMs) for YQ/YR surcharge increases made after the ticket has been issued.

“Since the introduction of Galileo’s 3600 Fares solution we have seen a considerable improvement in our fare content from Galileo,” said John Priestly, Manager, Special Fares Unit, Carlson Wagonlit Travel. “Within the first few weeks of the new ATPCO process being introduced, there was a significant improvement in the accuracy of the service fee data available, with a reduction in the number of fare discrepancy claims by the airlines.”

Commenting on the enhancement, Patsy Gettini, VP Enterprise Product Management for Cendant TDS said “Galileo is delighted to be able to support this industry initiative that will ultimately benefit all in the travel industry, including travel agents, airlines and consumers. Our business is committed to delivering solutions that reduce time consuming, manual processes.”

“ATPCO appreciates the opportunity to engage with proactive partners like Galileo in developing innovative solutions for the airline industry,” said Rolf Purzer, vice president and general manager - Product Development and Marketing for ATPCO. “We’re pleased to be working in association with Galileo and their airline customers globally on this important industry development.” 
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