The General Services Administration has announced new city
pair contracts for discounted air travel on 4,345 routes,
which it expects to save billions of dollars in fiscal 2005.
It said it negotiated with 13 U.S. carriers for official
government travel on 3,616 domestic and 729 international
routes — favoring non-stop service, which was awarded in
1,674 markets, nearly everywhere it was offered.
GSA’s federal supply service awards contracts to airlines
based on average flight time, price, type of service,
flight distribution, and number of flights. It said dual
fares will remain available in more than 2,300 markets
and that unrestricted contract fares will be available
in all markets.
It said fixed-price, unrestricted fares may help agencies
plan their travel budgets throughout the one-year contract
beginning October 1, and noted that federal employees
generally would pay less by booking cheaper capacity
controlled fares early.
The city pair program offers last seat availability, fully
refundable tickets and no charge for cancellations of
schedule changes.
