-- Premium Single-Class Airline Strikes Deal with Leading GDS, Providing Agents with Competitive Advantage --
(Dec. 8, 2005) – Galileo International, Inc., a leading global distribution system (GDS) and subsidiary of Cendant Corp. (NYSE: CD), today announced a new agreement with Eos, the first single-class, premium transatlantic airline. Currently, Galileo is the only GDS to provide travel agents in the US and UK access to Eos content.
Eos is a premium single-class airline with daily service between New York’s JFK and London’s Stansted airport.
Eos provides Galileo-connected travel agents with access to fares beginning in December. The new partnership will ensure that Galileo agents have the advantage of being able to book Eos flights on their desktop, which means quicker sales times and the efficiencies that come with full integration with mid- and back-office systems. The carrier is also set up with Galileo’s Guaranteed Payment application to support their ticket-less business model.
“Our partnership with Eos provides our agency customers an additional and exclusive transatlantic option that agents can not currently book in any other GDS,” said Eileen Kennedy, vice president, Marketing, The Americas, Galileo. “Eos has recognized the demand for single class service for the discerning business traveler and we look forward to working as a strategic distribution partner with an airline that offers a new approach to attracting new clients.”
“Galileo’s significant presence on travel agent desktops in the UK and US markets made the decision to sign with Galileo a very easy one for us,” said Christopher Frawley, vice president, Distribution, Eos. “Our goal is to work with partners who can provide value-added distribution channels that will maximize our ability to reach our customers, and at the same time, reflect the world-class service those customers demand.”
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About Cendant Travel Distribution Services
Cendant Corporation’s (NYSE: CD) Travel Distribution Services Division, is one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse collections of travel brands and distribution businesses. The division, employing nearly 9,000 people in approximately 140 countries, includes: a leading (GDS) global distribution system (Galileo), serving more than 50,000 travel agencies and over 60,000 hotels; hotel distribution and services businesses (Neat Group®, THOR®, TRUST and WizCom®); leading online travel agencies (Asia-hotel.com, CheapTickets®, ebookers.com®, HotelClub.com, Lodging.com, Orbitz®, RatesToGo.com, and The Away Network); an airline market intelligence company (Shepherd Systems); an international travel technology and software company (Travelwire); a leading international provider of long-haul air travel and travel product consolidator (Travel 2®/Travel 4®); online global corporate travel management solutions (Orbitz for Business® and Travelport®); and a leading wholesaler and global online provider of hotels, destination services, travel packages and group tours (Gullivers Travel Associates, OctopusTravel.com® and Travel Bound, Inc.).
About Galileo International
Galileo International is a global technology leader. Its core business is providing electronic global distribution services for the travel industry through its computerized reservation systems, leading-edge products and innovative, Internet-based solutions. Galileo is a value-added distributor of travel inventory dedicated to supporting its travel supplier, agency and corporate customers and, through them, expanding traveler choice. A subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD) and part of Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division, Galileo is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, and has offices worldwide. Visit www.galileo.com.
About Eos
Founded in March 2003, Eos is a privately held airline focused since inception exclusively on the transatlantic business traveler. Eos brings an innovative approach to the travel industry, transforming the traditional flight environment into a premium, tailored space that provides personalized attention for only 48 travelers. Eos raised $87 million in equity capital, and received initial aircraft lease financing of $100 million from International Lease Financing Corporation. For more information, please call 1.888.357.EOS7 (3677) or visit http//www.eosairlines.com.