Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 1, 2012: Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, today announces that it has signed a groundbreaking agreement with dnata, the Middle East's leading travel management provider, to utilise the industry-leading Travelport Universal API™ technology for the first time in the Middle East.
Available in selected countries, Travelport Universal API (application programming interface) is a GDS industry first offering the ability to aggregate content and travel related services from multiple sources through a single connection, leading to greater up-sell and cross-sell opportunities for travel retailers and suppliers.
Headquartered in Dubai and with over 52 years of experience, dnata is the first travel retailer in the region to gain access to Travelport's Universal API, which provides a single connection to additional air, hotel and rail content not available on the core GDS. dnata has already begun leveraging Universal API to support its growing portfolio, including its recently expanded online business.
As an open platform, Travelport Universal API works side-by-side with existing APIs, allowing dnata to build customised applications that will enhance its online capabilities. The technology will also help them maximize their IT investments by supplementing existing content feeds and functionality as they transition to the new content tools and resources.
"By removing the need to manage and maintain multiple API connections, Universal API is helping us better manage our IT expenditure whilst streamlining our travel supply chain," said Iain Andrew, Divisional Senior-Vice President, for dnata's travel services. "Travelport has helped us simplify our travel distribution by reducing associated costs and complexities."
"dnata now has access to next-generation technology that represents a reengineering of Travelport's infrastructure," said Rabih Saab, President and Managing Director for Travelport, Middle East and Africa. "Universal API underpins the GDS technology of the future, allowing for easy access to a world of content and functionality in a very simplistic and efficient way."
Travelport Universal API is a key interface and central to the underlying architecture of Travelport's next-generation technologies, including Travelport Universal Desktop. Travelport Universal Desktop is the groundbreaking booking solution that unifies travel selling and merchandising onto a single platform.
About Travelport
Travelport is a broad-based business services company and a leading provider of critical transaction processing solutions to companies operating in the global travel industry.
With a presence in over 170 countries, approximately 3,500 employees and 2011 net revenue of $2.0 billion, Travelport is comprised of the global distribution systems (GDS) business, which includes the Galileo and Worldspan brands and its Airline IT Solutions business.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Travelport is a privately owned company.
About dnata
dnata is the world's fourth largest combined air services provider, offering ground handling, cargo, travel, IT solutions and flight catering services. Part of the Emirates Group and wholly owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), dnata was established in 1959. Over the past six years, the organisation has quadrupled in size and now has a global footprint in 39 countries across five continents including Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, UK, Switzerland and Pakistan. In December 2010, dnata acquired in-flight caterer Alpha Flight Limited, extending the company's reach to the current presence in some 74 airports.
Global expansion was seen in 2008 through the acquisition of a 23% share in worldwide corporate travel company, Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) and 49% acquisition of the global outsource provider, Mind Pearl. In January 2012, dnata acquired a majority stake in Travel Republic the largest privately owned online travel agency in the UK.
© Press Release 2012
