GDS Distribution in China: Flying the Regulated Skies

Summary

China is home to one of the world’s fastest growing airline markets. Airline passenger revenues will nearly double between 2009 and 2013. Yet this heaving market remains largely closed to companies that provide distribution technology to airlines around the world. Of the 800 million new air travelers that will begin flying between 2009 and 2014, more than a quarter will come from China.

This analysis looks at the current state of airline distribution and supporting technology in China. It focuses on the pending changes to the regulatory environment governing air travel distribution, and the potential implications for relevant stakeholders in the Chinese air travel distribution market as well as global players keen to compete for share.