Flybe offer web option to counter screen-scraping
10.08.08
Regional budget airline Flybe is creating an XML-based option that will allow third parties - including online flight comparison websites - to directly access its pricing and booking engine without the need for them to resort to ‘screen-scraping’.
This is a move designed to protect its main website booking engine from the strain caused by screen scrape programs , and confirms the airline’s active support of online retailers that provide a valued revenue stream, the airline said. The move is the direct opposite of rival Ryanair, who have launched a bitter campaign against online booking websites.
Stephen Hobday, Flybe’s Head of Sales, said: ‘By taking seats directly from our website, online agencies provide a valued revenue stream at minimal distribution cost. As technology continues to evolve, it will be inevitable that demand from web-based platforms such as those used by flight aggregators, dot coms and providers of travel agent and corporate booking tools, will increase.'
‘To make the process more robust, we are in the latter stages of developing and testing Web Services allowing online agents to connect to its API (Application Programming Interface - an XML based option). By providing a direct feed from our flight inventory and prices to the online retailer there will be significant benefit to both the customer and the airline.’
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book hotel birmingham airport or car parking birmingham airport at the lowest price click on these links to birmingham airport car parking and birmingham airport hotel price comparison pages.
