Travel & Travel Technology News.Dec 18, 2006 Malaysia Airlines, SITA Malaysia Airlines and SITA signed a 10-year deal to implement SITA's Horizon portfolio of passenger management solutions. MAS said it will invest MYR MYR In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Malaysian Ringgit. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 300 million ($82.1 million) and realize annual savings of MYR100 million. Dec 18, 2006 EU-US tension over PNR PNR Partner PNR Passenger Name Record (airlines) PNR Policía Nacional Revolucionaria (Cuban police) PNR Philippine National Railways PNR Point of No Return PNR Polymerase Chain Reaction data sharing The ability to share the same data resource with multiple applications or users. It implies that the data are stored in one or more servers in the network and that there is some software locking mechanism that prevents the same set of data from being changed by two people at the same time. is rising again less than two months after the parties concluded an agreement for the processing and transfer of PNR data by air carriers to the Dept. of Homeland Security Noun 1. Homeland Security - the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security Department of Homeland Security executive department - a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States under the terms of which the US government committed to restrict the use of data to comply with European privacy laws. "The Council Presidency and Commission are contacting the US Government to request formal confirmation that the way EU PNR data are handled in the ATS [Automated Targeting System The Automated Targeting System or ATS is a United States Department of Homeland Security computerized system that, for every person who crosses U.S. borders, scrutinizes a large volume of data related to that person (see below), and then automatically assigns a rating for ] is the one described in the undertakings," European Commissioner A European Commissioner is a member of the 27-member European Commission. Each Commissioner within the college holds a specific portfolio and are led by the President of the European Commission. In simple terms they are the equivalent of national ministers. for Justice, Freedom and Security Franco Frattini Franco Frattini (born 14 March 1957 in Rome) is an Italian politician, currently serving as European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security. He is also one of five vice-presidents of the 27-member Barroso Commission. told the European Parliament European Parliament, a branch of the governing body of the European Union (EU). It convenes on a monthly basis in Strasbourg, France; most meetings of the separate parliamentary committees are held in Brussels, Belgium, and its Secretariat is located in Luxembourg. earlier this week. Dec 15, 2006 American Airlines American Airlines invests $20 million to entertain business travelers. American plans to announce today a $20 million program to spiff up first-class cabins in its Boeing 767-200 fleet. The upgrades will include flat-screen televisions and personal entertainment devices to provide movies, TV, music and video games. Dec 13, 2006 G2 SwitchWorks, ITA ITA abbr. initial teaching alphabet ITA initial teaching alphabet: a partly phonetic alphabet used to teach reading ITA n abbr (BRIT) (= initial teaching alphabet) → The Internet has enabled airlines and other suppliers to reach customers directly via their Web sites. Online travel agencies have developed direct connections with airlines. New companies such as G2 SwitchWorks and ITA Software have entered the distribution field. Dec 12, 2006 Galileo International, Worldspan A Galileo-Worldspan combination has been rumored since 2001, shortly after Galileo itself was acquired by Cendant Corp. At the time, it was thought that the combination would not pass regulatory muster. But the scene has altered in the last five years, and the four major GDS GDS Global Distribution System GDS Google Desktop Search (Google) GDS Goodie Domain Service (Vienna University of Technology, Austria) GDS Guards companies -- Amadeus, Galileo, Sabre and Worldspan -- no longer have a lock on how airline tickets are distributed. Dec 12, 2006 Galileo International, Worldspan Galileo International, founded by a consortium of European airlines in 1987, and Apollo (then known as Covia) formed the Galileo Partnership in 1993, but they have remained discrete systems. It is not clear whether Travelport plans to integrate Worldspan into Apollo or Galileo. Some observers predict that Travelport will retain certain elements of Worldspan's technology but jettison jettison (jĕt`əsən, –zən) [O.Fr.,=throwing], in maritime law, casting all or part of a ship's cargo overboard to lighten the vessel or to meet some danger, such as fire. the basic platform. Dec 12, 2006 Galileo International, Worldspan Galileo International issues of branding and the transitioning of customers are all to be determined, Clarke said, and the integration planning team can't act on any integration until regulatory approval occurs. Travelport, the parent company of Galileo International, signed an agreement last week to acquire Worldspan for $1.4 billion. The deal has been approved by major shareholders of both companies but faces regulatory review in both the U.S. and the E.U. Dec 12, 2006 Galileo International, Worldspan Galileo International's Clarke sees the potential for synergies to the tune of $50 million, which he called a conservative estimate. The companies' strengths are complementary, he said. Worldspan would bring its Rapid Reprice tools and new search capabilities to Travelport, and it is "second to none in servicing the online market," Clarke said. Galileo, on the other hand, is stronger in international markets, he said. Pending litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. between Worldspan and Travelport's Orbitz unit would be dropped, he said. "You'll have three very strong GDS companies of about the same size," Clarke said, "and there are significant alternatives where consumers can get information. If the Galileo International deal is approved, Travelport will face challenges in bringing yet another company under its wing. Since its own acquisition by the Blackstone Group, Travelport has again reorganized its collection of disparate companies, which include Orbitz, Gullivers Travel Associates, eBookers and Flairview Travel. Dec 12, 2006 Holiday travel Holiday travel tips. It's worth it for holiday travelers to check flight histories when booking a flight, The Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney writes. In general, flying earlier in the day may increase your chances for on-time arrival since weather problems and air-traffic congestion The condition of a network when there is not enough bandwidth to support the current traffic load. congestion - When the offered load of a data communication path exceeds the capacity. can worsen later in the day. Dec 12, 2006 Travelport, Worldspan Travelport said easy-to-use airline websites are growing in usage and putting pressure on GDS providers. "Competition in the travel distribution industry has increased," the company said. Added Worldspan Chairman, President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. Rakesh Gangwal: "The combination of Travelport and Worldspan directly addresses industry trends and will provide a new standard of technology, high-quality content and world-class customer service." Dec 12, 2006 Xytrans Florida company to refocus from wireless to security. Xytrans, a high-tech millimeter wave technology company that specializes in wireless communications, plans a new emphasis on ground-based security systems. The same waves that can carry sound signals can be used in highly sensitive sensors to detect concealed weapons and other contraband. Dec 12, 2006 Z Editor: Aram Gesar, eMail: edit@AirGuideOnline.com For more global news, reviews, features and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/onlinenews.htm To Subscribe to our Newsletters: http://www.airguideonline.com/order_formsubs.htm#news To Advertise: advert@AirGuideOnline.com Dec 11, 2006 |
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