Aeronology Rail Europe deal

AUSTRALIAN technology startup Aeronology has announced a global distribution deal with Rail Europe, which will give travel agents the ability to shop, book and transact pointto-point train bookings via the Aeronology platform.

The system is based on Rail Europe’s new Easy Rail Access (ERA) API and will give consultants the ability to instantly issue e-tickets for European trains.

More than 50 railways across the continent are available, with Aeronology CEO Russell Carstensen saying the interface would allow customers to book rail just as easily as flights.

“Rail reservations will be embedded into our online air booking service, tickets will be issued and paid for instantly and all available rail passes will be able to be purchased with a seven-day account,” he said.

Aeronology’s agent-branded itineraries will have all rail details included, with Carstensen saying “the days of calling a rail booking centre for timetable details, paying a large booking fee and not being able to make money out of rail are now gone.

“We expect rail bookings via travel agents will increase 50-fold out of the APAC market,” he said.

Carstensen said Europe was “only the start”, with Aeronology agent customers to also be given access to rail in the USA, Canada, North Asia and Eastern Europe.

Rail Europe GM APAC Richard Leonard said Aeronology presented the perfect opportunity to showcase the capabilities of the new ERA API.

“The evolution of train distribution from legacy standalone systems to state of the art robust technology is exciting and will again lead us through another renaissance in travel technology.”