Ryanair will have to use GDSs in future, claims Amadeus boss

Ryanair will have to use global distribution systems (GDS) in the future, Amadeus UK and Ireland managing director Tim Russell has claimed.

At the moment, 56 low-cost carriers distribute through Amadeus, Russell told delegates at the Travel Technology Initiative's autumn conference.

Russell said: “Agents prefer to use GDSs rather than trawl the web. The volumes remain low, but I think maths will win the day.

“In the end, yield will win. Even Michael O’Leary [Ryanair chief executive] will consider distributing through anyone. He calls us parasites, but we will see."

Russell said Amadeus was working with its airline partners to get access to web-only fares. He added: “We aim to become airlines’ preferred distribution channel. For agents, the enhanced content will help them sell. And with the loss of airline commissions, most agents see the value of broadening their portfolio."

Meanwhile, Amadeus has seen an increasing number of boutique hotels using the GDS. It has 85,000 hotels in its portfolio, but it
is targeting 250,000.

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