easyJet forges distribution deals with Multicom and Comtec

Budget carrier easyJet has moved to further take control of its distribution through a deal with travel technology specialist Multicom.

The company will be licensed to distribute flights to approved users of its FindandBook service.

Comtec has also reached agreement with easyJet to license its Application Programming Interface (API).

The API will provide Comtec and its customers with a structured way of accessing easyJet flights and services; including flight availability, bookings and a range of flight-related services.

Comtec plans to develop against easyJet’s API in order to provide customers with access to easyJet services via its Travelink and Travelconnect selling platforms. In addition to real-time access to flight inventory, the API will also enable Comtec customers to book services including Speedy Boarding, hold-baggage and sports equipment.

This follows moves initiated by easyJet late last year to build partnerships with selected third party system providers for corporate travel distribution.

The carrier will provide an XML feed to FindandBook from its host reservations system which can then be accessed by approved Multicom business partners.

The airline’s distribution development manager Jerry Dunn said: “For the first time, easyJet is working with third party system providers as we move away from unlicensed screen scraping and towards building solid partnerships with clear benefits for both parties.

“We are hopeful that other providers will follow Multicom’s lead and avoid any action against unauthorised selling of easyJet flights.”

Multicom general manager Chris Nourse said: “This deal should help to further boost bookings by providing another productive sales channel.

“easyJet were impressed by the capabilities of FindandBook and require the system to control which customers are given access to search and book flights via the XML feed.

“The structured interface is much more reliable than screen scraping which will be switched off as soon as the API connection is working.”

FindandBook service works by bringing bookable data from suppliers of flights, accommodation, package holidays, Eurostar and extras such as car hire, and feeding it directly to websites and travel agents. It powers 40,000 searches a minute, with most searches delivering results in less than one second.

By :Phil Davies