Abacus signs first LCC in India
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Abacus International has becomes the first GDS to move into the low-cost carrier market in India, signing up Deccan.
Kenneth Low, Vice President, South Asia, Abacus International said: “With LCCs expected to double their share of the India market from their current 35% of the market to 70% by 2010, this is definitely a market we wish to lead in.”
Last year an Abacus survey of more than 1,500 travel agents across Asia identified the growing LCC market in Asia as travel agents’ second largest concern for the future because of the potential of the LCCs to bypass travel agents.
“This pioneer partnership provides an ideal launch pad to enable Abacus-connected travel agencies to share in India’s LCC fuelled growth,” Low said.
Ramki Sundaram, Officiating CEO, Deccan said the adoption of the GDS model also allows the airline to significantly expand and distribute their capabilities while keeping costs associated with it low.
He said with the partnership, Deccan will now be available via more than 15,000 Abacus travel agency gateway locations. Deccan is the fastest growing and largest low-cost carrier in India, flying to the most number of destinations across India.
It operates 350 flights a day to 63 destinations across India. Last year, the airline carried over seven million passengers. Besides Deccan, other LCCs on Abacus include Air Asia and Jetstar Asia.
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