ForwardKeys strikes agreement with Skyscanner for global flight search data

INTERNATIONAL. Leading travel analytics company ForwardKeys has secured an agreement with Skyscanner that allows full access to the latter’s global flight search data. The enhanced data will help clients across the travel chain to better understand inbound tourism trends, said ForwardKeys.

The two companies have had a partnership since 2018 when Skyscanner allowed its sample data to be integrated into the ForwardKeys dataset, Flight Search. This data reflected search and redirect information for ten global markets which, via ForwardKeys’ Flight Search, assisted airports in understanding unserved routes and potential catchment areas.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Flight Search dataset has also been sought out by destination marketing organisations and hospitality clients keen to understand consumer interest and demand in cities and countries, airfare costs and travel timeframes.

The Skyscanner flight search data helps clients understand consumer interest in particular destinations, fare prices and potential times and dates of travel

Now, thanks to the new partnership agreement with Skyscanner, the number of flight searches and redirects per day has grown to almost triple the size of the previous sample data. In addition to the expansion of search volumes and global markets, historical data has also been provided from 2017 until now.

ForwardKeys Senior Researcher Luis Millan said: “ForwardKeys is very excited to have full access to Skyscanner’s flight search data. This information has already proven to be very valuable to our customers across different industries to tap into travel demand; now, we are enriching it with a much wider pool of searches and markets. Considering we are in the middle of a global crisis, this will help businesses gauge consumer interest and demand to destinations, to adopt proactive measures for the recovery and identify the early signs of recovery.”

“Given the unprecedented levels of uncertainty for the sector, it’s important for DMOs and travel providers alike to get a real understanding of travellers interest in destinations;” said Sharon Petersen, Commercial Manager at Skyscanner.

“Despite an international health crisis, travel bans, and fewer planes in the sky, we can still see people planning and booking their dream escapes. We’re pleased to see this essential information for the travel industry integrated into ForwardKeys’ Flight Search product.”

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