Express Aeronology deal

EXPRESS Travel Group’s (ETG) new agreement with the Peter Lacaze-backed Aeronology (TD breaking news) promises to allow the agency group to “leapfrog our competitors”, according to ETG CEO Tom Manwaring.

The new travel technology platform, developed by Aeronology CEO Russell Carstensen who formerly headed up Helloworld’s Air Tickets and QBT corporate travel operations, has been developed from the ground up to be compatible with the latest systems including IATA’s NDC (TD 05 Dec).

“This agreement complements our truly independent business model,” Manwaring said, with the systems to be available to all ETG members in Australia as well as exclusively for members of NZ’s First Travel Group (FTG).

“The ETG/FTG strategy is to ensure our customers’ hard work is rewarded with excellent returns.

“Our aim is to ensure our customers stay relevant and have their cost of sale the lowest in the market by using our tech and distribution...2020 heralds a new and exciting direction for us and our partners,” Manwaring said, noting that the platform even allows travel businesses in Australia and NZ to trade together on a single system.

Carstensen said he was proud to be working with the ETG/FTG team and Manwaring.

“I found his dedication to run a business with integrity and based on family values match my own.

“Tom has invested in some of the best travel technology in the world and we, at Aeronology, are ecstatic to support his business vision,” he added.

Carstensen said the new services would be rolling out in the first quarter of 2020, with the ETG/FTG deal with Aeronology covering a range of applications including ticketing, robotics, wholesale booking and payment services.