Services for airlines

GENERAL SALES & SERVICE AGENT

GSSA product offers world standard commercial representation and management services – globally, by region, or for an individual country. Our GSSA services also go “hand in glove” with our other APG products which provide access to the relevant area settlement system (ARC or BSP) or distribution via our APG IET product to facilitate ticketing in smaller markets, all to achieve maximum revenue results.

We offer GSSA services to both established airlines of any size (smaller and seasonal “Online” markets & global “Offline” markets) / Start-up & Regional airlines giving them access to a dynamic global market.

Our product aims to reduce costs, improve the customer experience and aggressively grow revenue levels, providing a point of contact in each market. We partner with major key GDS providers and all travel agencies within the industry giving you access to more than 10, 000 already existing clients.

For only 3% Commission based on NET flown revenue in the territory by all sales channels our clients enjoy the following APG GSSA services with respect to applicable terms and conditions:

  • Full sales and marketing activities including targeted sales calls
  • Ticketing and reservation facilities
  • Product training and regional brand development
  • Market intelligence reporting
  • Negotiating commercial agreements with travel trade
  • Creative marketing, advertising and promotional campaigns
  • Formulating local fares/pricing structure
  • Targeted revenue growth
  • Presence at major exhibitions
  • Media liaison

For airlines not currently partnered with APG, we welcome the opportunity to discuss how our services can contribute to enhancing your worldwide revenue levels.

With our access to strategic MIDT, aggressive sales and marketing team our clients are guaranteed to:

  • Exceed revenue targets established by the client airline.
  • Increase awareness and create a positive perception of the airline in the target markets
  • Generate traffic from all market sectors as applicable, including: Interline, Internet (OTAs), Consortia, Consolidators, Tour Operators, Travel Management Companies, Corporate Travel Departments and retail travel agents
  • Attain preferred carrier/supplier status
  • By appropriate segmentation, ensure maximum revenue and yield

GSSA FAQS

  • What is APG GSSA?

    APG GSSA is a product that authorises APG Network to offer physical representation of an Airline in a particular market.

  • GSSA stands for General Sales and Services Agent

    • APG has the largest and most successful airline representation network in the world meaning your airline can scale up its global distribution network with one company.
    • The Airline would benefit from our extensive knowledge and our proven track record in representing both offline and online airlines.
    • APG's staff turnover is between 0-2% across our 100 plus offices and the majority of our existing staff have been with us between 5-30 years.
    • APG already has unrivalled relationships with local travel agents in each country across all market segments from corporate to leisure, OTA to VFR and marine which we would leverage to gain revenue growth from day one.
    • APG is well versed in assisting airlines with incentive/override agreements with travel agents and global contracts with OTAs to maximise sales and can assist your company to secure the right commercial agreements.
    • APG has a reputation for exceeding targets and improving revenue growth when taking on new clients and has received awards and recognition for its achievements.
    • APG provides comprehensive and ongoing training to all of its offices across the globe focusing on SLA and best practice.
    • For each new client, APG appoints a key person in each market to oversee the airline in their territory and is fully supported by the APG Head Office team.

  • Below are some of the services that are offered under the APG GSSA program.

    • Full sales and marketing activities including targeted sales calls
    • Ticketing and reservation facilities
    • Product training and regional brand development
    • Market intelligence reporting
    • Negotiating commercial agreements with travel trade
    • Negotiating and managing Interline relationships, Special Prorate Agreements
    • Creative marketing, advertising and promotional campaigns
    • Formulating local fares/pricing structure
    • Targeted revenue growth
    • Presence at major exhibitions
    • Media liaison

  • Yes, APG manages the BSP on behalf of the airline in the market where APG has been appointed as a GSSA.

  • No the airline covers the marketing costs while APG only implements the marketing.

  • To benefit from the APG GSSA Program, an airline needs to sign the APG GSSA agreement and supply their CRS System to APG.

  • The APG GSSA Product comes on a "Pay as you earn" commission structure with no joining or fixed fees.

THE APG PLATFORM

APG NDC Compliant Distribution Platform is a Distribution Platform which can assist airlines to generate additional revenue by selling air and non air ancillaries combined as well as benefiting from distribution in new markets at lower distribution costs. Uniquely, the APG Platform is promoted and supported in over 150 countries by the APG Network. The APG Distribution Platform is NDC compliant under the newest XML technology and follows all IATA standards.

Target Audience

The APG NDC Platform is suitable for All scheduled airlines both NDC and non-NDC capable airlines looking to have both a broader distribution network and high customer satisfaction cost effectively.

Airlines that Accept to be on the APG NDC Platform enjoy the following benefits

  • Lower your distribution costs with API connectivity
  • Combines an IT platform with a worldwide sales network
  • Opens up new markets
  • Facilitates direct web sales
  • Global promotion of your airline as an APG Platform partner
  • Combines air and non-air products
  • Open to scheduled or charter airlines with an API (NDC compliant or non compliant)
  • Variable cost based on delivered revenue
  • Secure revenue payment via ICH

Our effective, efficient and easy to use platform offers the following features that make the APG NDC Platform worthwhile for our partner airlines.

  • Direct Dynamic package on existing web site
  • Direct Dynamic package + web site
  • Ancillaries within existing flight booking engine
  • Total outsourcing
  • Indirect distribution through web services including integration support and monitoring
  • Applicable in B2B to IATA or non-IATA agencies
  • Sales support Help Desk centrally and locally
  • Fulfillment for transactions including non-air ancillaries
  • Negotiation with worldwide non-air Suppliers
  • Collection and Reporting
  • Coverage of agency defaults

With these services and benefits Our NDC Platform will give partner airlines a greater market share, a competitive advantage over their competitors and a viable global representation opening endless opportunities for the airline.

THE APG PLATFORM FAQS

APG INTERLINE E-TICKETING

APG has created an Interline E-Ticketing “hub” with its own airline APG Airlines (GP-275). Through a single interline agreement, you can activate a significant additional revenue stream and expand your sales distribution to many more global markets.

This product is specially designed to extend the commercial presence into tertiary territories, APG IET is a single solution for all remaining markets where airlines do not have their own offices or a GSA presence. Should they be present into the BSP or ARC, then the tickets will be issued on the Airline's plate, if not tickets will be issued on the GP (code 275) plate which is the tool used for the IET (Interline Electronic Ticketing) program.

APG IET is suitable for Airlines who have already set up a presence (own office or GSA) in their key markets but have not maximized revenue opportunities in all other markets, and are looking for a simple “one-stop shop” solution with minimal administration to give them access to far away markets creating incremental revenue.

With the APG IET Product, our partner Airlines are guaranteed the following benefits:

  • Additional high yield revenue streams from multiple markets worldwide
  • Can be integrated into a holistic global approach to sales distribution
  • Access to almost 100,000 IATA and ARC accredited travel agents worldwide
  • Automatic interline capability with all of our partner airlines
  • Full support from our 100+ offices worldwide including our HQ
  • SIS, IDEC and iiNET compliant
  • Revenue in line with accounting IATA RAM standards
  • Coverage of travel agent defaults
  • Coverage of credit card fraud
  • Revenue reconciliation via the IATA Clearing House

Under one single agreement, Airlines also enjoy the following basic commercial and distribution Services that come with the APG IET product.

  • Weekly E-mail to all IATA travel agents in the local language
  • Basic help desk support in each country via GDS tool
  • Enhanced help desk support where CRS of the airline is supplied
  • Sales via BSP/ARC/TCH
  • Sales via APG NDC Platform. (APG Airlines has created its own B2B platform for non IATA agents).
  • Presence in all major GDSs like Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport, Travelsky, Abacus, sirena etc.
  • Very flexible agreement with only a 90 days’ notice period for cancellation or modifications

The APG IET Product comes on a "Pay as you earn" commission structure with no joining or fixed fees

APG INTERLINE E-TICKETING FAQS

APG ACCESS

APG Access can be referred to as APG Interline E-Ticketing for non-GDS clients. APG Access allows clients without a GDS presence to "code share" with APG Airlines and take advantage of global distribution across over 100 BSPs, ARC and TCH. APG Access allows around 100,000 travel agents to sell your product.

APG ACCESS is suitable for Low Cost Carriers without a GDS presence, charter airlines seeking to place part of their capacity on GDS as well as tour operators with contracted charter capacity wishing to open up their inventory to a much wider target audience.

With the APG ACCESS Product, our partner Airlines are guaranteed the following benefits:

  • Display in all GP's GDS and BSPs at lower costs
  • Can be integrated into a holistic global approach to sales distribution
  • Automatic interline capability with all of our partner airlines
  • Automatic interline capability with all of our partner airlines
  • Access all travel Agents, IATA and NON IATA
  • All tickets are issued on GP stock, no administrative work for you
  • Local support of all APG Network offices

Our Partner airlines do not need to worry about Travel agents defaults as APG Network covers all agent defaults giving our partners a viable and hustle free business partnership that offers endless market possibilities.

Under one single agreement, Airlines also enjoy the following basic commercial and distribution Services that come with the APG ACCESS product.

  • Weekly E-mail to all IATA travel agents in the local language
  • Basic help desk support in each country via GDS tool
  • Sales via BSP/ARC/TCH
  • Sales via APG NDC Platform. (APG Airlines has created its own B2B platform for non IATA agents).
  • Presence in all major GDSs like Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport, Travelsky, Abacus, sirena etc.
  • Very flexible agreement with only a 90 days’ notice period for cancellation or modifications

APG ACCESS FAQS

  • What is APG Access?

    APG Access is a product developed by APG Airlines that allows airlines without a GDS presence to "code share" with APG Airlines and take advantage of global distribution across over 100 BSPs, ARC and TCH.

  • APG Access can be used by Low Cost Carriers without a GDS presence, charter airlines seeking to place part of their capacity on GDS as well as tour operators with contracted charter capacity wishing to open up their inventory to a much wider target audience.

  • GP-275 is present in all BSP’s, ARC and TCH worldwide.

  • One (1) Code sharing agreement with APG Airlines gives the Airline access to all the markets with a possibility of Interlining with more than 130 airlines.

  • No, once you sign an ACCESS agreement with APG Airline (GP-257) there is no need to enter new BSP’s. Your stock can be sold on all other BSP’s that you are not present on using the A1 code under GP-257 plate.

  • APG ACCESS allows around 100,000 travel agents both IATA and non IATA agents to sell your product worldwide.

  • APG covers all agent defaults and handles money repatriation giving the Airline a hustle free market expansion.

  • No, All tickets are issued on A1 code under GP stock hence no administration work as APG Airlines covers all administrative duties further reducing your cost of expansion.

  • Yes all operations under APG ACCESS are in line with all IATA regulations and procedures.

  • Yes, APG offers local support in all APG Network offices worldwide giving the airline a direct local representation globally.

  • APG has created its own B2B Platform (APG NDC Platform) for non IATA Agents.

  • APG Airlines (GP-275) is present on all major GDS’s like Amadeus, Travelport, Sabre, Travelsky, Sirena, Abacus etc.

  • No, the Airline does not need to file specific fares, APG Airlines sells your existing published fares.

  • APG Airlines accepts the following FOP’s according to the markets:
    IATA Easypay, UATP, Mastercard, VISA, American Express, Diners ClubInternational e.t.c

  • Yes, Even if APG ACCESS is purely a distribution product, our local sales team will distribute regular e-newsletters to our local travel agents and do the promotion of APG ACCESS in all markets. of APG IET take between 1 – 2 Months.

  • Code sharing with APG GP-275 has a One-Time implementation fee of € 5,000 (EURO). It also attracts a variable cost when an Interline Passenger is delivered Interline Service Charge (ISC) and/or fixed fee. However these other charges are based on a Pay as you earn basis.

  • For Airlines without PSS, No IATA Codes, implementation of APG ACCESS takes 1 week. This the procedure involved in the implementation process:

    • Signing of the contract
      - Sending of AOC and aircrafts registration and insurance
    • Implementation 1 week
      - APG provides all templates for schedules, fares, fare rules, inventory
      - You define the number of seats allocated to GP
    • Beginning of the sales:
      - APG sends you the PNL/ADL as per your request
      - Flown coupons: automatic if ETL messages sent to GP
      - Monthly report of used coupons is sent by APG with the payment.
    • No invoices needed from your side

    For Airlines with PSS, IATA Codes, implementation of APG ACCESS take 6 – 8 weeks. This is the procedure involved in the implementation process:

    • Signing of the contract
      - Sending of AOC and aircrafts registration and insurance
    • Implementation 6 - 8 weeks
      - APG provides all templates for schedules, fares, fare rules, inventory
      - Connection needed between both PSSs
    • Beginning of the sales:
      - You retrieve the bookings in your own PSS
      - No special procedure for PNL/ADL, flown status, you follow yours as usual
      - Monthly report of used coupons is sent by APG with the payment.
    • No invoices needed from your side

Contact

APG ZAMBIA

The Grove, Ngwerere Road, Ngwerere Depot, Lusaka, Zambia

Email Us

m.milambo@apg-ga.com
 

Call Us

Phone: +260 6300 202 15
Cell: +260 9720 207 90 | +260 9530 278 97