SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 17, 2005–Oman Air has
become the first Sabre Airline Solutions customer to implement
e-ticketing in the Middle East. The airline has introduced e-ticketing
capabilities successfully in its reservation offices in Muscat, Dubai,
Salalah, Cairo, Bombay, Madras and Kuwait. It uses SabreSonic
passenger management products for both its reservations and check-in
operations at these airports, so acceptance of electronic ticketing
was possible without additional third-party ground handling
functionality.
Oman Air will extend e-ticketing capability to its offices in
Beirut and Delhi before the end of the year. The carrier will then
expand its e-ticketing capability to airports that require third-party
ground handling functionality, such as Bahrain.
Phase two of the project, due for implementation in 2006, will see
Oman Air implement GDS e-ticketing. This will allow travel agents to
issue Oman Air e-tickets through the global distribution systems. The
airline will also join Sabre Airline Solutions’ Interline Electronic
Ticketing Hub next year. Interline agreements will enable the carrier
to issue a single e-ticket even when the trip involves travel on other
carriers.
Sabre Airline Solutions’ consulting business was engaged to
address some of Oman Air business process changes to ensure a
successful electronic ticketing implementation.
“The consultative element to Sabre Airline Solutions business is a
real differentiator from other suppliers, adding value and easing the
implementation process,” said Edward Grauvogl, Oman Air’s planning
divisional manager and acting commercial divisional manager. “We were
surprised by how easily e-ticketing was accepted by the local market,
given our initial wariness about the introduction of this technology
in a paper-driven society.”
Already 45 carriers are connected to Sabre Airline Solutions’
interline hub, including American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay
Pacific, Emirates, JAL and Qantas.
“Oman Air is one of the most progressive airlines in the region,”
said Murray Smyth, Sabre Airline Solutions’ senior vice-president for
Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “It is using technology
effectively to help deal with existing business challenges in the
region and to prepare for anticipated trends and future developments.”
In addition to the e-ticketing project Oman Air uses Sabre PC
AirFlite flight scheduling, Sabre Planet forecasting and the Sabre
AirMax Revenue Management Suite, and will soon start using the
SabreSonic Web online booking product and the Sabre Traveler loyalty
system.
About Sabre Airline Solutions
Sabre Airline Solutions, a Sabre Holdings company, is the world’s
largest provider of software products, reservations and departure
control systems and other passenger management systems, and consulting
services that help airlines simplify operations and lower costs. Sabre
Airline Solutions’ proven leadership is demonstrated by the growing
number of airlines that leverage the technology and services: More
than 200 airlines worldwide use Sabre Airline Solutions’ broad
portfolio of smart solutions for decision-support tools to increase
revenues and improve operations. More than 100 airlines worldwide rely
on Sabre Airline Solutions for passenger management solutions, with 15
new carriers added and nine carrier renewals for SabreSonic Res
advanced reservations in 2003. In the first half of 2004, six new
carriers signed up the new generation passenger solution, and another
three carriers renewed contracts. In addition, more than 100 clients
worldwide have turned to Sabre Airline Solutions consulting group for
strategic, commercial and operational consulting. More than 500
contracts worldwide were signed in 2003 within Sabre Airline Solutions
and nearly 400 have been signed in the first half of 2004.
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, Sabre PC AirFlite, Sabre Planet and Sabre AirMax Revenue
Management 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.
CONTACT: Sabre Airline Solutions, Southlake
Kathryn Hayden, 682-605-2252
kathryn.hayden@sabre-holdings.com
SOURCE: Sabre Airline Solutions