'We've grown strongly through reputation, referrals and relationships': Northern Ireland flight booking experts target GB travel agent as UK sales surge

Belfast's flight booking experts Fareteam is increasing its focus on travel agents in Great Britain following continued growth in UK sales and long-haul flight booking activity. Part of World Travel Centre Group in Dublin, Fareteam is a flight-only booking platform and support service designed for travel agents. The business gives agents access to discounted airfares and expert support for long-haul, group and more complex flight bookings. The renewed GB focus follows a strong period of performance for Fareteam. UK sales are already 27% ahead of last year's full-year total, while the UK now represents 27% of overall Fareteam business, up from 18% in 2024/25. Fareteam now supports more than 100 travel agencies and 500 active users, with more than one million flight searches taking place through the platform each year. A recent customer survey also recorded 98% customer satisfaction. Since launching its newer airline booking technology in June 2021, Fareteam expects to pass more than 110,000 passengers booked through this system, representing over £40m in sales. The technology, known in the travel industry as NDC, allows travel agents to access airline fares, options and extras in a more direct and modern way, rather than relying only on older booking systems. Fareteam’s use of this technology has recorded a four-year annual growth rate of 63% between 2022 and 2025.

Aidan Coghlan, Group managing director of World Travel Centre Group, said: "Fareteam has grown strongly through reputation, referrals and relationships, which tells us that travel agents value the service and support they receive from the team. "Our growth opportunity now is to ensure more agents in Great Britain understand what Fareteam can do for them, particularly when it comes to long-haul flights, where the value, complexity and customer expectations are often much higher. “Fareteam's group booking activity has also continued to grow, with more than 275 groups booked and over 7,000 passengers ticketed in 2025 across sport, education, special interest and the private tour sectors.” Glenn Lowry, head of agency sales for Fareteam, said: "Agents are dealing with a changing flight booking landscape. There are more fare types, more distribution routes, more rules and more pressure to deliver value quickly for customers. "Fareteam removes this complexity and simplifies what can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Agents who use the platform have commended us for our approach and the dedicated support offered by our team of flight experts.” "For agents who book long-haul flights, we believe having that support makes a real difference. It saves time, boosts confidence and helps them make more from the enquiries that matter."