The Transformation of the Distribution Process in the Airline Industry Empowered by Information and Communication Technology

Abstract

This chapter reviews the historical evolution of the airline market and its first-generation airline reservation and distribution systems. The development and diffusion of computer reservation systems (CRS) and global distribution systems (GDS) is discussed extensively in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of business in the 2000s. Based on this evaluation, the influence of modern information and communication technology (ICT) on the airline distribution system environment is discussed. The traditional distribution chain has been transformed into an electronic multi-channel distribution environment. This (r)evolution of the airline market is analysed for the different market participant groups, as the competitive and cooperative situation increases in this cross-influence network industry.