ebookers cuts cost with Indian operation

LONDON - Online travel agency ebookers.com has announced a proposal to move part of its operation to India in an effort to cut costs and meet its deadline of breaking even by early 2002.

A call centre service company in Bangalore will handle peak-time and overnight service calls and emails. The deal has been signed and will create 100 jobs in India.

In a statement the company said, "These [initiatives] are aimed at producing significant cost savings as ebookers moves towards its cash flow breakeven target of Q4 2001 or Q1 2002".

It went on to explain that due to growing demand, its capacity to handle customer enquiries in Europe is stretched.

It seems India is the most suitable location due to its highly skilled workforce and its "competitive cost structures".