ABOUT PHOTO: KAYAK and GroundLink’s newest iPhone app offers clients the ability to find and book ground transportation worldwide.

SUMMARY: Travel-technology company GroundLink integrates its virtual marketplace with KAYAK’s travel search iPhone application.

NEW YORK — Travel search website KAYAK recently released the newest version of its popular iPhone application that includes a new offering to its customers — ground transportation provided by GROUNDLINK.

GroundLink, a travel-technology company that aggregates, manages and executes limousine, taxi, shuttle, car-rental and public transportation services worldwide, worked closely with KAYAK to integrate an API-based global marketplace for ground transportation.

Alex Mashinsky, CEO of GroundLink, said, “This gives KAYAK users a great tool in situations when they need transportation but do not want to rent a car. Our offering allows people to find sedans, SUVs and stretch limousines anywhere in the world.” GroundLink’s global network covers over 5,000 airports, 15,000 cities and 45,000 providers.

Using GroundLink’s API, KAYAK was able to easily integrate the GroundLink marketplace into its application in a few weeks, allowing users to book service in three simple steps.

“We’re excited about the added flexibility this service gives to KAYAK Mobile users,” said Bill O’Donnell, KAYAK Chief Architect.

GroundLink believes ground transportation will be the next big trend in ancillary revenues, as Mashinsky explains: “Everyone in the travel industry is looking for additional revenue streams, especially untapped ones.” Ground transportation is a multi-billion dollar, global industry that has often been overlooked by the travel industry because of fragmentation and the complexity involved in offering consistent global service. This technology and marketplace now allows any retail or corporate user to order ground transportation with less effort than renting a car.

Source: GROUNDLINK, Inc.