In a move that will potentially change Japan’s travel industry, Japan Airlines and Travelport agreed to join forces to create and operate a global distribution system.

Japan Airlines and Travelport agreed to work together to take control of Travelport Japan K.K. and Japan Airlines’ 100 percent-owned subsidiary, Axess International Network, Inc. The new distribution system will be called Travelport Axess and will cater to the needs of the Japanese travel industry.

Travelport is a travel technology company that works to make travel easier and more convenient on the whole.

Travelport Axess will allow travel agents to use the Axess global distribution system and allow users access to Travelport’s distribution systems Apollo and Gallileo. A distribution system is a reservation tool that allows travel agents to reserve space for clients effectively. The new venture combines three systems under one umbrella for Japanese travel agents.

The joint venture will provide online, mobile and corporate travel propositions, including global booking and expense management tools. According to a statement from Travelport, the venture will provide Japanese travel agencies with “the best of locally developed products with best in class global connectivity and capabilities.”

“We believe that the future of travel will be transformed by technological innovation. I am confident that Travelport Axess, will be able to help Japanese travel agents to respond to growing global demands by offering services based on state-of-the-art technology,” said Yoriyuki Kashiwagi, executive officer of international passenger sales, Japan Airlines.

“This announcement and our ongoing partnership with Japan Airlines is a significant advance in the provision of state-of-the-art technology for the Japanese travel industry. We are very excited about the growth opportunities it presents for our mutual travel agency customers,” said Gordon Wilson, president and CEO, Travelport.

The two organizations have worked closely since 2012, a statement from Travelport said.

Travelport will hold a majority stake in Travelport Axess with Japan Airlines controlling the remainder. The groups are expected to finalize the deal June 1. The organizations will operate independently at first with gradual integration occurring throughout the rest of the year.

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