In the news: Blacklane launches new airport concierge service, Amadeus NDC programme has a new partner, Wego and Airbnb team up
Ground Transport: Blacklane’s new service assists travellers bypass immigration/security lines at 500 airports
The concierge meets arriving guests with a pickup sign. (Image credit: Blacklane)
Travellers can now skip security and immigration lines and access lounges in more than 500 airports around the world with the latest offering from Blacklane, the Berlin-based prebooking private car service.
Blacklane PASS (Premium Airport Services & Solutions), the airport concierge service, provides assistance to travellers on arrival, at departure and for connections at more than 500 airports around the world.
On arrival, the concierge greets travellers planeside or after customs (depending on airport), assists with luggage, takes them to the front of customs and immigration lines and then escort them to their vehicle.
At departure, the concierge meets travellers at their vehicle, helps with luggage, bypasses security and immigration lines, assists with VAT refunds and duty-free shopping and then escorts them to the lounge and/or their gate.
Similar services are offered for connections.
According to Blacklane, the concierges are English-speaking with detailed local knowledge, and advance information on them will be sent to customers.
“Airport concierge services are one of the most efficient ways to decrease your travel stress. Now, thanks to our new service it is also becoming one of the most affordable ways,” said Jens Wohltorf, CEO and co-founder of Blacklane.
Travellers can book PASS service online at US$100 per person, together or separate, with or without Blacklane’s chauffeured rides.
The fee for access to airport lounges is US$$50 per person for PASS customers. They enjoy three hours in airline or private lounges with amenities including food and beverages, showers and WiFi.
Technology: American Express GBT joins Amadeus’ NDC programme
More travel content for GBT’s customers with NDC programme. (Image credit: Amadeus)
Earlier this year Amadeus launched its new NDC-X (New Distribution Capability) programme, and is working with several airlines and travellers sellers to drive its adoption across the industry.
The latest travel company to join the programme is American Express Global Business Travel (GBT).
In announcing this new partnership, Amadeus said GBT would use its NDC-enabled solution “to test and familiarise itself with the new NDC flow of ‘shop, order, pay’. This will help GBT prepare to implement the industrialised version of the solution, which will include servicing capabilities in 2019.”
GBT will also have access to NDC content in addition to Amadeus’ extensive travel content available in the global distribution system.
“By working with Amadeus we already have access to a broad array of travel content. Now with NDC, we’ll be able to offer even more to our clients. This content will be available through all points of sale, whether digital self-service or agent tools,” said Michael Qualantone, executive vice president of global supplier relations for American Express GBT.
Gianni Pisanello, VP, Amadeus NDC-X programme, added that “collaboration is key to ensure NDC works for the industry and benefits all players, including the traveller,” as it prepares for global deployment next year.
In this first half of this year Amadeus was the first to achieve level 3 certification on the latest version of the NDC standard. The company recently achieved IATA Level 3 NDC certification as an aggregator, becoming one of the first providers to achieve dual IATA Level 3 NDC certification as an aggregator and an IT provider.
Travel: Wego expands alternative accommodation options for travellers
Hideout Bali – a listed vacation rental on Airbnb (Image credit: Airbnb)
Online travel marketplace, Wego, has teamed up with Airbnb to offer its users a wide range of local homes and unique accommodations across all destinations worldwide.
Wego is including properties listed on Airbnb in search results in its mobile apps and websites. Users just need to enter their destination city and dates of travel, and then follow the recommended filters to search for Airbnb vacation rentals.
Wego explained the decision to work with Airbnb was motivated by the travel trend of MENA (Middle East and North Africa)-based travellers and inbound visitors to the region, who now prefer innovative travel experiences and cost-effective holiday.
Anna Trushkina, director, hotels at Wego, said the partnership with Airbnb would “significantly expand the supply of alternative accommodation on Wego, which is perfectly matched with types of demand we see from Saudi Arabia and the other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) markets.”
She revealed that analysis of search and booking data from across the 60 countries worldwide that Wego operates in showed users from GCC countries have the longest length of stay, highest spend per night and most frequent instance of multiple room bookings to accommodate family groups.
“We also know that many families from the GCC place a premium on privacy when travelling. Based on all of this we think that private homes, villas and apartments are a great fit for the needs of the market,” she added.
• Featured image credit: Blacklane
