Travelport GDS, one of the world's largest global distribution system (GDS) providers, has recently signed content agreements with three key carriers in China - Xiamen Airlines, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines.

The agreements will provide Galileo, Apollo and Worldspan subscribers with access to international fares and inventory from the three airlines via the GDS.

Together with Air China, which signed a content agreement with Travelport GDS in October, these carriers collectively account for over 60 percent of all domestic air traffic and approximately 90 percent of all international traffic among China-domiciled carriers.

Travelport is one of the first GDS providers to sign content distribution agreements with China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. The deals will also provide all Travelport GDS-connected travel agents in selected Asian markets with access to the carriers' automated market fares, allowing them to search the most competitive fares available.

In addition, connected agents worldwide will benefit from enhanced functionalities such as View PNR, Interactive Seat Assignment and Last Seat Availability on China Southern Airlines, enabling them to view existing records directly within the carrier's systems and to book flights with greater ease via the GDS.

Under the agreement with Xiamen Airlines, Galileo will be the first GDS to offer Group bookings with the airline, ahead of any other GDS.

"As the world's fastest growing aviation centre, China is a very important travel market for Travelport GDS. We are extremely pleased to announce content agreements with China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. The agreements not only strengthen our relationship with these three key Chinese carriers, but cement our position in the marketplace both in terms of reach and service delivery, and provide our travel agency customers with the content they need," said Brad Holman, President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Travelport GDS.