Online Travel Corporation (OTC
) has announced it is to offer customers the opportunity to change dates and destinations on flights with selected carriers for free, on departures until 17 March 2003.

In a reaction to recent industry uncertainty, OTC has said it is working with leading international airlines, including British Airways, Virgin, American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Cathay Pacific to provide customers with increased flexibility in their travel plans.

OTC`s CEO Mark Jones
commented: “We are still monitoring events in the Middle East and appreciate that there is a clear hesitancy on the part of the consumer when it comes to making and booking travel plans during these difficult times. OTC is reacting by working with our industry partners to create flexibility, and so ensure our customers` needs are met.”
“We appreciate that travellers will be reluctant to abandon their holiday plans altogether, and are responding by giving customers the freedom to travel where and when they like.”

The flight-changing offer, which takes immediate effect, is being applied across all of OTC`s consumer websites, including Onlinetravel.com, Bargainholidays.com and ifyouski.com, and through OTC`s 80 partner sites, which include BT Openworld, Freeserve and The Telegraph. Customers booking flights as part of a self-packaged holiday will also be able to contact OTC`s call centre to make changes to flights and accommodation booked using the company`s first-to-market Build-Your-Own (BYO) technology.

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Related stories on ITN:

(07/02/2003) OTC Comment on Online Travel Market

(20/12/2002) Priceline Selects OTC as European partner

(11/12/2002) Real Media Signs Exclusive Contract with OTC`s All-Hotels

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