Travelport and Japan Airlines have agreed to form a joint venture to operate a GDS tailored to Japanese travel agencies.
Under the agreement, Travelport and JAL will take ownership of Travelport Japan and Axess International Network, which is a subsidiary of Japan Airlines. The GDS operated under the joint venture will be branded Travelport Axess.
Travelport said it will offer agents services through Axess' eponymous GDS platform as well as Travelport's Apollo and Galileo platforms.
Per the agreement, Travelport will hold a majority stake in Travelport Axess and JAL will control the rest. The joint venture is expected to be formed June 1.
Travelport said it has worked closely with Axess since 2012. The joint venture will strengthen Travelport's position in Japan and will help Axess meet the needs of its agency customers, Travelport said.
Source: Travel Weekly USA