Signature Flight Support FBOs Automate Hotel Reservations using GCL's HotelTrak(tm)

May 3, 2010 - PRLog -- Aviation industry corporate travel management company Global Crew Logistics (GCL) today announced the launch of its new web-based hotel reservations tool HotelTrakTm, and its new customer Signature Flight Support Corporation (Signature), the world's largest fixed-base operation (FBO) for business and general aviation.  Signature completed the rollout of the HotelTrak to its 58 U.S.-based FBOs on March 31, and has begun implementing the system throughout its network of international FBOs.

Global Crew Logistics developed its proprietary HotelTrak in response to its aviation customers’ unique needs, such as those of Signature.  One of the services that Signature offers its customers, which include the flight crews and passengers that travel through its FBOs, is to arrange hotel accommodations.  Previously, each Signature FBO handled the hotel bookings manually and negotiated hotel discounts locally.

“We needed a hotel reservations tool that would enable our customer service representatives to book a hotel quickly and would ensure that we were securing the best rates for our customers while at the same time optimizing the overall process,” said Signature Flight Support Corporation’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Best.


“With Global Crew Logistics’ long history in the aviation industry, we determined that they were one of the few companies that really understand the private aviation business, and could help us automate this important function,” Best said.  

“HotelTrak™, which incorporates a customized hotel rate negotiation service, provides us with detailed visibility into our hotel transactions across the network, and we are therefore in a better position to negotiate hotel rates and provide our customers with discounted rates that they might not have been otherwise able to access,” Best continued, “GCL’s HotelTrak™ has reduced the booking process to a matter of seconds. HotelTrak™ helps our employees to spend more time catering to our customers and delivering consistently excellent customer service for which Signature is renowned.”

Global Crew Logistics’ HotelTrak™ is an easy-to-use web-based application that is a graphical-user interface to the Sabre reservation system.  It provides on-demand, real-time reporting, and is built to highlight preferred hotels with which GCL has negotiated discounts for its clients.


HotelTrak’s™ dynamic reporting platform enables its users to analyze travel spend and recognize trends.  Fixed-base operators or other aviation companies can view and sort transaction history and future reservations by passenger, fleet, aircraft type, cost center, customer, location, or any other unique field that they require.


Global Crew Logistics is offering HotelTrak™ as an enhanced service offering to all of its existing customers.  Since HotelTrak is an ideal crew hotel booking solution for both scheduled and unscheduled regional carriers, GCL is also now marketing it to aviation-related companies around the world.

“We are very proud of this new technology tool, and are pleased that the world’s largest FBO operator has decided to incorporate HotelTrak™  into its operations as part of its companywide initiative to further enhance service to its elite clientele:  that of the private aviation segment,” said Global Crew Logistics Chief Executive Officer James P. Collins.  


Global Crew Logistics (GCL), a division of Corporate Travel Consultants II LLC, is the world’s leading travel management company specializing in providing customized cost-effective travel solutions to support the unique needs of the aviation sector.  A privately held company for more than 25 years, Global Crew Scheduling is headquartered in Miami Beach, Florida, with offices and 24/7 reservation call centers in Lisbon, Portugal and Montevideo, Uruguay.  Global Crew Logistics is a licensed Sabre agency and Hogg Robinson Group NA (HRG) affiliate with 2009 sales of more than $250 million and more than 100 accounts, which include many of the world’s leading private, fractional ownership, charter, cargo, and commercial aviation companies, jet management companies and fixed based operators.   http://www.globalcrewlogistics.com

Signature Flight Support Corporation (Signature), a BBA Aviation plc company, is the world's largest fixed-base operation (FBO) and distribution network for business aviation services. Signature services include fueling, hangar and office rentals, ground handling and a wide range of crew and passenger amenities at strategic domestic and international locations. Headquartered in Orlando , Florida , Signature currently operates at more than (100) locations in the United States , Europe, South America, Africa and Asia . For more information, please visit: www.signatureflight.com.  


BBA Aviation plc is a leading global aviation support and aftermarket services provider with market leading businesses and attractive growth opportunities.  BBA Aviation plc’s Flight Support businesses (Signature Flight Support Corporation, ASIG® and Executive Beechcraft) are focused on refueling and ground handling of business and commercial aviation aircraft.  Its Aftermarket Services and Systems businesses (Ontic, International Governor Services, APPH, Dallas Airmotive, Premier Turbines, H&S Aviation, International Turbine Service and Barrett Turbine Engine Company) are focused on the repair and overhaul of jet engines and the design, manufacture and services of aerospace sub-systems and components.  For more information, please visit www.bbaaviation.com.                                                        


Editors note:  Executive photos, logos, FBO photos, and FBO on-site system demonstrations available upon request.  
For Global Crew Logistics:  Karin Wacaser
001-214-215-8605  or  GCL@karinwacaser.com


For Signature Flight Support:  Patrick Sniffen

001-321-276-7232 or Patrick.Sniffen@signatureflight.com

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Global Crew Logistics (GCL), a division of Corporate Travel Consultants II LLC, is the world’s leading travel management company specializing in providing customized cost-effective travel solutions to support the unique needs of the aviation sector. A privately held company for more than 25 years, Global Crew Scheduling is headquartered in Miami Beach, Florida, with offices and 24/7 reservation call centers in Lisbon, Portugal and Montevideo, Uruguay. Global Crew Logistics is a licensed Sabre agency and Hogg Robinson Group NA (HRG) affiliate with 2009 sales of more than $250 million and more than 100 accounts, which include many of the world’s leading private, fractional ownership, charter, cargo, and commercial aviation companies, jet management companies and fixed based operators. http://www.globalcrewlogistics.com