WestJet in Direct-Connect Deal With iTravel2000

WestJet signed a letter of intent with iTravel2000 to connect directly via the carrier’s API, which was developed by Farelogix.

The Calgary-based carrier announced the pending deal as it prepared to exit the Sabre system next month.

WestJet and Sabre have been negotiating a new agreement since June 2012 without success. In October, WestJet sent Sabre Travel Network a notice of termination of its airline distribution contract, effective Jan. 26.

Large OTA
iTravel2000, a large Canadian online travel agency and vacation package company, primarily serves the leisure market, but it also has a dedicated team that handles corporate, group and incentive travel.

iTravel2000 was in the news recently when its previous owner, U.K.-based Travelzest, sold it to Aldenham Canada Acquisition Corp., a privately-held investment company that aims to build “long-term investments in the online travel sector.”

WestJet said iTravel2000 will become a WestJet- certified conforming channel by the spring of 2014, ensuring access to WestJet’s best fares and ancillary products.

More from Westjet
The carrier also said it had “very positive agreements in place with other providers that enable us to be competitive.”

WestJet in June signed an early renewal of its full-content agreement with Travelport.

That deal includes WestJet’s participation in the Travelport Agencia desktop that provides Canadian agents with access to carriers’ ancillary products, fare families and other merchandising features.

Agencia was created in conjunction with Air Canada, whose AC2U API also was developed by Farelogix.