Azul and Sabre renew technology agreement

Expanded relationship supports the merged Brazilian carrier to consolidate operations and drive revenue São Paulo, June 18, 2013 – Sabre, a global technology company for the travel industry, and Azul – the third largest airline operating in Brazil – today announced the renewal of their long-term business relationship to provide the airline with solutions that support its strategic integration of planning, flight operations and revenue opportunities with TRIP Linhas Aéreas. Prior to the merger each airline implemented a number of Sabre Airline Solutions products and capabilities for their own operations. This extended technology agreement aims to equip Azul with an integrated software portfolio enabling seamless technical and business consolidation processes. “The merger of Azul and TRIP has resulted in the broadest domestic network for our airline. As we now serve more than 100 destinations by 799 daily flights across Brazil, we identified the need for an integrated system to fulfill all operational aspects,” said Kleber Linhares, director of IT for Azul. “Sabre provides us with flexible and highly configurable software solutions, implemented by local and global teams who are prepared and committed to deliver successful technology.” John Elieson, general manager of Sabre Airline Solutions in Latin America, said: “The new agreement is a testament of a solid business relationship. We continue to fully support Azul by equipping them with innovative solutions that will play a key role in the ongoing integration with TRIP, and to further improve their extended operations.” As part of Sabre Airline Solutions’ products and capabilities included in the extended deal, Azul continues to leverage Network Planning and Scheduling solutions. The airline continues optimizing crew scheduling via Sabre’s Crew Management, and recently implemented Sabre’s Load Manager solution to enable Azul maximize aircraft fuel efficiency for flight performance. The new long-term agreement also applies to Sabre technology that has been implemented by TRIP Linhas Aéreas, now part of Azul. In addition to Sabre’s Flight Manager and Maintenance Control solutions, the flight experience is continuously enhanced by technology that tracks flights in real-time and dynamic messaging that links its control center and fleet. The Sabre AirVision Revenue Management solution has provided critical data for decision making. Azul, an airline company that resulted from the merger of Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras and TRIP Linhas Aéreas, operates a fleet of 118 aircrafts serving 103 destinations within Brazil, and employs nearly 9,000 employees.