Bangkok--3 Jan--Thana Burin Asia Pacific Qantas announced that it would expand the capability of customers outside Australia to book tickets via the airline’s website qantas.com. Qantas Group General Manager Sales and Distribution, Rob Gurney, said the airline would initially expand its internet booking capability to an additional 15 countries from today, with further expansion planned for 2008. “Customers in Thailand will now be able to book Qantas and Qantas codeshare services online via the Qantas website.” Mr Gurney said Qantas currently offered the ability to book tickets online in six countries — Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, UK and the US. Mr Gurney said the updates will provide customers with an internet booking service, allowing them to book Qantas flights to 52 destinations in Australia, four destinations in New Zealand and a number of Qantas destinations world wide. From mid 2008 Qantas will further expand its international internet booking capabilities to introduce foreign language booking facilities for certain markets. The international extension of Qantas’ internet booking capability also allowed customers to service their bookings online, he said. “It provides an extended ability to view flight details online, add a Frequent Flyer number to a booking, update contact details, make seat and meal requests and request a Frequent Flyer upgrade” Mr Gurney said the ability to book flights online from an increased number of locations was complemented by the ability to book Frequent Flyer award bookings online, a service, which had been available on qantas.com.au for some time. Mr Gurney said Qantas would expand its international internet offering in three phases: roll out English language booking facilities on 12 December to an additional 15 countries: Austria, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Indonesia, Korea, Netherlands, the Philippines, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam; extend the English language booking facilities by early 2008 to an additional 6 countries: South Africa, Mexico, Tahiti, Fiji, New Caledonia, Chile introduce foreign language booking facilities gradually from mid-2008 for relevant markets in German, French, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, and Spanish languages. “Given the international nature of our business, it is important that we give our customers access to our range of online services” Mr Gurney said. For media inquiries, please contact: Kasemsri Kaewthammachai (081 611 4696) / Yuwadi Chombun Qantas Public Affairs office Thana Burin Asia Pacific Co Ltd Tel: 02 231 6158-9 Fax: 02 231 6230 Email: [email protected]