GSA meanwhile has awarded 2016 City Pair Program air travel contracts which it says will save the government more than $2.3 billion in the upcoming fiscal year.
Under the program, airfare rates for the government’s official travel are pre-negotiated and firm-fixed-price, offering a 52 percent discount on comparable commercial fares. The program also is designed to provide for flexibility in how agencies book air travel, with benefits such as no cancellation or change fees.
Seven major U.S. carriers were awarded contracts, based on considerations including non-stop service, total number of flights, flight availability, average elapsed flight time, availability of jet service, and price of service.
The program will include 9,160 markets, compared to 7,894 in 2015. The number of dual fare markets also is increasing, from 6,921 to 8,564; those provide flexibility in discounted fares for immediate travel and more deeply discounted fares for booking flights early
