Farelogix Eliminates the Need for GDS Passive Segments

November 2, 2005

MIAMI – In response to recent announcements made by suppliers and vendors to the travel industry regarding the use of passive GDS segments, Farelogix Inc. reinforced today that it is the first GDS new entrant (GNE) to provide the technology that travel agency and corporate markets require to effectively manage travel without the use of passive segments.

New policies regarding the use and pricing of GDS passive segments are being discussed by various Global Distribution Systems (GDS), and in some cases, a few GDS are beginning to implement new rules around passive segments. This creates a significant dilemma for agencies given that almost all travel management companies are fully reliant on the GDS for data management and the “passive segment” has been universally utilized to manage off-GDS booking activity, itineraries, and data reporting.

“For a travel management company to modify their operational processes is not realistic,” said Jim Davidson, president and CEO of Farelogix. “Agency and corporate travel companies require itineraries, quality control, invoicing, back-office, and full data searching and record keeping in order to operate their businesses and travel programs efficiently. The second requirement is to provide these capabilities in a single system.”

With its Essential Bridging Technology, the Farelogix FLX Platform enables non-GDS booking elements to be integrated into the response XML that is stored in the Farelogix Passenger Name Record (PNR) database automatically. This enables all the elements of the total PNR to be easily integrated and synchronized, regardless of booking source, seamlessly passing the required information to the agencies quality control and back-office applications. To support existing back office systems and procedures Farelogix is developing a means to implement the same interface record data formats that are created by the GDS, such as an Accounting Interface Record.

“With Sabre’s recent announcement and other GDS indicating that they plan to either increase charges for passive segments or inhibit their use altogether, it is important to understand that the Farelogix FLX Platform does not require or utilize passive GDS segments,” explained Davidson. “By taking advantage of the latest technology, the Farelogix Master Itinerary module or ‘Super PNR’, combined with a powerful open systems native XML database, Farelogix can accomplish agent front end, corporate online booking, quality control, and back office integration and synchronization without the use of passive segments that are placed in the GDS. This ability, coupled with a single dashboard view of the entire travel inventory available on the market through the aggregation and management of content from all the major sources, including the GDS, supplier direct, web, and private database sources, makes the Farelogix FLX Platform extremely versatile and productive.”

Davidson continued, “I have great respect for the GDS business model and their continued significant presence in the industry. At the same time, I am encouraged by the creative developments being made by GNEs with technology solutions that go beyond what the industry has become accustomed to. In addition to the elimination of passive segments, customized work flow/business logic demands, off-line transaction processing, and data management are among the advancements that continue to support this new era in travel reservations.”

About Farelogix
Farelogix is a leading provider of lower-cost, multi-source distribution and independent faring technology to the global travel industry. The company’s FLX™ platform aggregates content from all four major Global Distribution Systems, as well as airline, private and Internet fare sources, while its sophisticated pricing technology enables comparative shopping across sources. Farelogix was founded in 1998 and counts among its customers some of the largest travel companies in Canada and the United States including Navigant International, American Express and Carlson Leisure Group Services. Farelogix has offices in Toronto, Canada and Miami, Florida. For additional information, visit www.farelogix.com.

Media Contacts:

Jodi Echakowitz
Echo Communications (for Farelogix)
Telephone: 905-709-9600
E-mail: press@farelogix.com