SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–April 20, 2006–Sabre Airline Solutions, the global leader of software and services for the airline industry from planning to execution, is showcasing its airline alliance services and technology following the announcement last week by SkyTeam that Aeroflot has become a member of that group. The airline technology provider helped the Russian flag carrier meet the stringent technical requirements of SkyTeam membership.
The business is liaising with aspiring alliance candidates wishing to enter the three main global airline alliances — oneworld, SkyTeam and Star — to highlight its alliance capabilities. There are substantial similarities in the technical entry requirements for the three large groupings, and Sabre Airline Solutions can offer a completely integrated reservations, inventory and check-in solution for each. This enhances recognition of premium customers across all the alliance members and virtually eliminates the risk of not providing the customer benefits that frequent travelers earn and expect.
Alliance technology from Sabre Airline Solutions enables Aeroflot to integrate with SkyTeam partner airline frequent flyer programs and redeem frequent flyer awards among all partner airlines. It allows Sabre Connected travel agents to view schedules and availability for Aeroflot and all SkyTeam members in a single entry and exchange reservations data interactively with other alliance members.
In preparation for the project, Sabre Airline Solutions delivered online booking, CTO automated booking, and e-ticketing capabilities, self-service airport check in, and intra-airline CRM. It also provided new technology and services for passenger departure control at Aeroflot’s home airport, Sheremeteyvo in Moscow. During this phase all Aeroflot’s reservations records were switched from its previous technology to the SabreSonic Passenger Solutions suite of next-generation traveler management technology. More than 300,000 passenger records were moved successfully in 31 minutes: over 10,000 records a minute.
Gianni Marostica, president of airline passenger solutions for Sabre Airline Solutions, points to the “complete success” of the Aeroflot technology project as proof of the alliance capabilities of the SabreSonic suite.
“Our integrated reservations, inventory and check-in capability proved once again that we are the right partner for Aeroflot on the SkyTeam entry project,” Marostica said.
Aeroflot worked closely on its SkyTeam entry with its sponsor, Air France, which helped validate the Russian carrier’s entry criteria compliance during an audit in March.
The SabreSonic solutions are at the heart of the company’s alliance technology proposition. This group of products is used by over 100 airlines and covers reservations, inventory management, all aspects of automated and manual check in, ticketing and interline e-ticketing, Web sales, and revenue integrity.
“This modular, scalable and integrated alliance capability gives airlines more flexibility and choice than other, more rigid ‘common alliance platforms,'” said Marostica. “In the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of airline technology, the SabreSonic solutions accommodate changes in business strategy and force questions about why an airline would be required to migrate to an inflexible, common platform.”
Marostica said the components of the SabreSonic product suite address all the technical and technology requirements of any alliance while offering airlines the flexibility to maintain their brand identity, differentiate themselves from competition and accommodate changing business strategies.
Sabre Airline Solutions has the industry’s widest range of products aimed at carriers of every size — from large network carriers to small regional airlines — designed to help airlines market themselves, sell their products, serve their customers and operate more effectively. This portfolio of more than 100 integrated products ranges from alliance-enabling tools, hosting services, integrated reservations and check-in products, and an interline e-ticketing hub that is helping carriers meet the IATA 2007 e-ticketing mandate, through to crew and aircraft scheduling tools, and products that maximize in-flight catering efficiencies.
About Sabre Airline Solutions
Sabre Airline Solutions, a Sabre Holdings company, is the world’s largest provider of products to help airlines market, sell, serve and operate from planning to execution.
More than 200 airlines use its broad portfolio of decision-support tools to increase revenues and improve operations, while more than 500 use its leading operational technology. More than 100 airlines rely on Sabre Airline Solutions for passenger management solutions, while a similar number have turned to the company’s consulting group for strategic, commercial and operational advice.
Sabre Holdings (NYSE:TSG) connects people with the world’s greatest travel possibilities by retailing travel products and providing distribution and technology solutions for the travel industry. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com.
Sabre Airline Solutions, the Sabre Airline Solutions logo, SabreSonic and Sabre Connected are trademarks and/or service marks of an affiliate of Sabre Holdings Corp. All other trademarks, service marks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. (C) 2005 Sabre Inc. All rights reserved.
CONTACT: Sabre Airline Solutions, Southlake
Media Contact:
Kathryn Hayden, 682-605-2252
kathryn.hayden@sabre-holdings.com
SOURCE: Sabre Airline Solutions
