The Star Alliance's Alternative Content Access Platform initiative, launched two years ago with the aims of harnessing modern technology and reducing distribution costs for alliance members, is dormant.
The Star Alliance signed letters of intent with G2 Switchworks, ITA Software and Lufthansa Systems to develop the ACAP project.
The Star Alliance's Alternative Content Access Platform initiative, launched two years ago with the aims of harnessing modern technology and reducing distribution costs for alliance members, is dormant.
The Star Alliance signed letters of intent with G2 Switchworks, ITA Software and Lufthansa Systems to develop the ACAP project.
But the alliance said recent changes in the distribution landscape "have delayed the implementation process of alternative distribution solutions." Among those changes are new long-term agreements signed by airlines and GDS companies that provide lower rates to the carriers.
In addition, the alliance said, Lufthansa Systems incorporated ACAP functionality in its new Future Airline Core Environment reservations system, while ITA Software is focusing on building a new reservations system for Air Canada.
"From an alliance perspective, the ACAP initiative has helped our member carriers to negotiate more favorable deals with the GDSs, while at the same time the GDSs are starting to use more modern technology," the alliance said in a statement.
"Still, ACAPs are nevertheless an integral part of Star Alliance's distribution strategy, and we continue to look at working with them in markets outside North America."