TravTalk India Online Magazine
Aviation distribution presents unique challenges, as travel agencies often lack access to all airline content, while airlines struggle to make their flights available to every agency. Hahnair bridges this gap with innovative ticketing solutions, granting travel agencies in India access to more than 350 of additional airlines worldwide. Kimberley Long, Vice President – Agency Distribution, Hahnair and Bharat Kapoor, Regional Vice President, Hahnair, share details with TravTalk.
Words by Surbhi Sharma
Hahnair, a scheduled and executive charter airline of Germany, celebrated its 25-year milestone in the industry, at Le Méridien hotel in New Delhi recently. Over 80 travel agency partners attended the event, along with Kimberley Long, Vice President – Agency Distribution, Hahnair and Bharat Kapoor, Regional Vice President, Hahnair.
India being one of the top five global markets for Hahnair, the celebration highlighted the contributions of Indian partners in its journey and underscored the company’s commitment to supporting their growth. “India remains one of our key markets globally, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support, trust and collaboration from our agency partners here. Together, we are achieving great things, and I am confident that our partnership will only grow stronger in the years ahead,” Long said.
Recalling the company’s journey, she said that Hahnair began with a humble route from Düsseldorf to Luxembourg, a 22-minute journey, which marked its entrance into the international aviation arena. Since 1999, the company has been offering indirect distribution services to other airlines, and during the last 25 years, the company has established itself as the market leader. “Today, we collaborate with over 350 airlines, reaching 190 markets worldwide and empowering more than 100,000 travel agencies to book flights through our HR169 ticketing code,” Long shared.
Notable achievements
She said, “One of Hahnair’s notable achievements is the development of the H1X1 platform. This system brings smaller, often regional airlines, into the Global Distribution System (GDS), providing them with the tools and reach they need to operate globally. For airlines with limited fleets, Hahn Air’s H1X1 solution offers them the infrastructure, technical support, and access to global markets without the heavy operational overhead. This approach underscores the company’s emphasis on empowering airlines to choose their distribution markets strategically.”
Impact of technology & customer service
With technology at its core, Hahnair has become a leader in innovation within the airline distribution space, Long said. “As the aviation industry advances toward New Distribution Capability (NDC) standards, our commitment to enhancing customer service remains central. Our round-the-clock service desks in Montevideo, the Philippines, Germany, and India ensure seamless support for clients worldwide. This combination of cutting-edge technology and human-centric support reflects company’s dedication to a smooth, client-friendly experience,” she highlighted.
India, a strategic partner
Highlighting how India market is different from the rest and its capabilities, Long said, “The company views India as an innovation hub, recognising the country’s dynamic, youthful workforce and its willingness to embrace new ideas. The entrepreneurial spirit and adaptability in India’s travel market distinguish it from more mature regions like Europe. This openness to innovation and risk-taking has propelled India as a vital, growing market where Hahn Air plans to deepen its investments.”
The next 25 years
The future for Hahnair promises expansion and innovation, with a strong focus on India and emerging technologies. The company envisions a world where technology further personalizes travel and creates new efficiencies in airline distribution. As India’s population continues to grow and new markets emerge, Hahn Air plans to stay at the forefront of these changes, providing the infrastructure that airlines need to reach global markets. Hahn Air’s journey from a single route to a worldwide distribution expert is a testament to the power of innovation and adaptability in a rapidly evolving industry, Long concluded.
Success in India market
Kapoor, expressing gratitude to the Indian market for embracing Hahnair’s extensive portfolio, said, “With access to more than 350 partner airlines whose flights can be issued on the Hahnair HR-169 ticket, Indian travel agencies have been instrumental in our success. The appreciation we receive from Indian travel professionals, for our complementary Securtix insolvency protection, is a testament to our shared values of trust and reliability.”
“India is a crucial market for Hahnair,” shares Kapoor and says, “We entered the Indian market back in 2002, seeing its vast potential, and took a significant step by opening an office in New Delhi in 2013. To solidify our commitment, we established a dedicated Service Desk for India, providing 24/7 support to travel agents at
serviceindia@hahnair.com.” He is proud of the robust assistance the company offers to Indian travel agents, covering marketing, sales, training sessions, and webinars tailored to meet the market’s specific needs.
Growth strategies
Reflecting on Hahnair’s growth strategies, Kapoor notes, “Our services align perfectly with the needs of Indian travel agencies. Through Hahnair, agents here have access to over 350 global carriers, including lesser-known airlines. This access enables them to book an additional 2.2 million flights in the GDS, covering 40% of global seat capacity. Our extensive network, available under the X1 and H1 codes, makes travel possible to even the most remote destinations.” As Kapoor points out, “A Hahnair ticket is issued every 9 seconds worldwide, and India plays a significant role in that figure.”
Service offerings
Indian travel agents have also influenced Hahnair’s offerings over the years. “India has been one of our key markets for over two decades. We have built strong relationships with local agencies, who value our 24/7 support, free refund services, and annual ADM waivers,” he explains. To keep agents informed, Hahnair shares newsletter updates and maintains a strong social media presence, with India as the top contributor among their 12,000 LinkedIn followers.
Market trends
On market trends, Kapoor acknowledges the challenges Indian travel agencies face due to limited interline agreements between carriers. “Hahnair addresses this by allowing consultants to issue tickets from interline partners on a single ticket, which simplifies the booking process considerably. Additionally, our complimentary insolvency protection, Securtix®, introduced in 2010, has become a strong selling point in India.” Kapoor elaborates, “If a carrier cancels a flight due to insolvency, we provide a full refund of the unused portion, including taxes. Over 52 million Securtix-protected tickets have been issued since its inception.”
Partnership
Looking ahead, Kapoor is excited about Hahnair’s expanding partnerships in India. “Since January 2024, we have added 15 new partner airlines for HR-169 ticketing, allowing agents to book airlines like Corendon Dutch Airlines, Daallo Airlines, and Sunlight Air under the X1 code. Greater Bay Airlines, Thai Vietjet Air, Qazaq Air, and Air Mongolia are now accessible with their own IATA codes through Hahnair as the validating carrier. We have signed contracts with five more airlines, with announcements expected soon.”
