Sempati to join Galileo International service soon
Sempati to join Galileo International service soon
PERTH (JP): Sempati Air, one of Indonesia's private scheduled
airlines, will increase its services by installing an
international computerized reservation system, enabling travel
agents to book tickets through computer links.
The airline's president, Hasan M. Soedjono, told reporters
that Sempati Air is negotiating with Galileo International, a
worldwide travel distribution company that provides global
reservation products and services, to include the air carrier's
reservation system in its data base.
"This is our effort to increase services to our clients, as
well as to our travel agents because providing high quality
services is our main target," Hasan said during Sempati Air's
travel agents gathering in Perth, Western Australia, last week.
He said airlines are currently competing to provide better
services, including simple and quick procedures in ticket
reservation, through a computerized system.
"Travel agents can make reservation through their computer
systems rather than calling our reservations office. This way
will be easier and quicker," he said, adding that the negotiation
with Galileo will be finalized in the near future.
Hasan said this step should be taken although it is hard for
Sempati because the airline is paying every service used by
travel agents such as ticket booking or hotel reservation.
Sempati's move follows that of the national air carrier Garuda
Indonesia, which started operating the Abacus Mega Computerized
Reservation System of Singapore in February after acquiring two
percent of its shares early last year. Garuda hoped the
application of the system would boost the country's aviation and
tourism industries. Garuda has set up a subsidiary to tackle
Abacus' travel information packages, including information on
airlines, hotels, car rentals and travel agents.
"We have to do it to show our commitment to increasing our
services," Hasan said.
He explained that Sempati puts a high priority on providing
the reservation facility, over the opening of new routes or
adding new airplanes.
"This year we will open a Jakarta-Kaohshiung (Taiwan) route to
improve our services," he said.
Sempati currently serves 25 destinations in Indonesia and five
foreign cities.
Galileo International is owned by several air carriers,
including Air Canada, Alitalia, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch
Airlines, United Airlines and USAir. The company's services cover
over 500 air carriers such as Cathay Pacific, Air France,
American Airlines, Delta Air lines, Garuda Indonesia and
Continental Airlines. (yns)