Agreement; Engages Consulting Team to Streamline Planning and Scheduling
Processes and Improve Profits Through Pricing and Revenue Management
Enhancements
SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — ATA Airlines and Sabre
Airline Solutions today announced that ATA has renewed its commitment to Sabre
Passenger Reservation System, an industry-leading, fully integrated system
that effectively manages reservations functions for airlines of all sizes and
in all stages of growth. Additionally, the low cost carrier has tapped Sabre
Airline Solutions to provide consulting services in support of ATA’s growth
initiatives to identify revenue and profit improvement opportunities through
advanced network design strategies, schedule architecture alternatives, and
pricing and revenue management enhancements. Terms of the agreements were not
disclosed.
“Since we achieved ‘major carrier’ status in 2000, we have continually
focused our efforts to streamline our operations and sustain the growth we’ve
enjoyed even in a constrained market,” said Glen Baker, ATA vice president of
Information Systems. “Sabre Airline Solutions has played a major role in
helping us offer reliable, high quality air transportation services to our
more than 10 million passengers annually. The Sabre Passenger Reservation
System empowers our service professionals to provide a streamlined travel
experience to our valued customers.
ATA first engaged the Sabre Passenger Reservation System in 1993. The
system represents both a selling system and a departure control system
supported by CRM capabilities. Additionally, ATA employs system enhancements
including the Sabre Airport Check-in System, a productivity tool to help
airline agents serve passengers quickly and efficiently, and the Sabre Credit
Suite, a product that expedites reimbursement of revenues generated from
credit card sales.
“ATA represents the type of carrier we most enjoy serving,” said Gianni
Marostica, Sabre Airline Solutions president of Airline Passenger Solutions.
“Clearly they are on a fast track to industry leadership, with a growing
stronghold position in the Chicago market and an expanding presence
nationwide. To accommodate that type of growth, ATA needs a reservation
system that is flexible, scalable and comprehensive in its functionalities.
We invest millions of dollars each year to ensure that the Sabre Passenger
Reservation System stays abreast of the increasing demands of ATA and our more
than 17 low cost carrier customers around the globe. We appreciate the vote
of confidence the ATA renewal agreement represents.”
Sabre Airline Solutions serves more low-cost carriers than any other
provider, with solutions targeted to start-ups, simple carriers, complex
carriers, hybrid carriers and low-cost carriers associated with traditional
airlines. The company is the only provider of integrated solutions aligned
with the carriers’ current and future needs. Offerings include systems to
manage reservations and departure control, airport, cargo, crew management and
dining and cabin needs, finance, flight operations maintenance and
engineering, planning and scheduling, pricing and revenue management, sales
and marketing, and customer loyalty. Sabre Airline Solutions offerings afford
flexible delivery, are based on a platform capable of supporting growth and
incorporate pricing models that ensure the lowest total cost of ownership
(TCO).
ATA also implemented a portfolio of customer check-in solutions that
include curbside check-in and roving agents offerings, as well as eticketing
capabilities. The passenger solution products integrate with other Sabre
Airline Solutions operational technology in the planning and scheduling and
flight operations areas.
Additionally, Sabre Airline Solutions consultants are working with ATA
leaders on three crucial projects: redesign of its network and hub structure;
pricing and revenue management strategic assessment; and a profit impact
evaluation in support of capacity realignment initiatives. The consulting
engagements, initiated in early November, are expected to continue through
March 2004.
“By optimizing our systems and our processes, we intend to wring every
dollar of profitability from our operations to allow us to reinvest those
resources into enhanced services for our passengers,” said Stan Hula, ATA vice
president, Planning. “By teaming with Sabre Airline Solutions consultants —
a team with vast airline industry knowledge and experience — we look forward
to maximizing our operational efficiency and capturing the highest returns on
our technology investments. Having technology is only one part of the
solution — what is even more important is making sure we have the right
strategy in place to make the best use of the technology.”
“ATA is already reaping the benefits of strategic consulting,” said Steven
Hendrickson, Sabre Airline Solutions senior partner for Consulting. “We have
identified several areas that will differentiate ATA in the marketplace and
maximize its profitability. Clearly, ATA recognizes the importance of
investing now to give the carrier an undisputable leadership position for both
near-term and future growth.”
About ATA Airlines
ATA serves major business centers and the most popular vacation
destinations through its growing scheduled service and charter operations.
ATA operates significant scheduled service from Chicago-Midway, Indianapolis,
New York, San Francisco and Hawaii to over 40 business and vacation
destinations. The carrier serves more than 10 million passengers annually, is
the number one carrier from both Indianapolis International Airport and
Chicago-Midway, and the third largest carrier overall in Chicago, based on the
number of passengers flown.
About Sabre Airline Solutions
Sabre Airline Solutions, a Sabre Holdings company, is the world’s largest
provider of software products, reservation and departure control systems and
consulting services to help airlines simplify operations and lower costs.
Over 200 airlines worldwide use Sabre Airline Solution’s broad portfolio of
software solutions for decision-support tools to increase revenues and improve
operations. More than 90 airlines worldwide rely on Sabre Airline Solutions
for their reservation and departure control systems, with 16 new carriers and
eight renewals signing in 2002. In addition, more than 100 clients worldwide
have turned to Sabre Airline Solutions Consulting Group for strategic,
commercial and operational consulting. More than 300 contracts were signed in
2002 within Sabre Airline Solutions.
Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE: TSG) is a world leader in travel
commerce, 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, Sabre Passenger
System, Sabre Airport Check-in System and Sabre Credit Suite are trademarks
and/or service marks of an affiliate of Sabre Holdings Corporation. All other
trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their
respective owners.
SOURCE Sabre Airline Solutions
-0- 01/14/2004
/CONTACT: Kathryn Hayden of Sabre Airline Solutions, +1-682-605-2252, or
kathryn.hayden@sabre-holdings.com /
/Web site: http://www.sabre-holdings.com /
(TSG)
CO: Sabre Airline Solutions; Sabre Holdings Corporation; ATA Airlines
ST: Texas
IN: CPR TRA LEI AIR
SU:
AW-CD
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0041 01/14/2004 08:30 EST http://www.prnewswire.com