improve customer service and reduce operating costs
SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Sabre Airline Solutions and
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced the successful implementation
of the Sabre Traverse loyalty management system, enabling the airline to
improve customer service, reduce operating costs and create a solid foundation
for its Awards +Plus loyalty program.
It is well known that frequent airline travelers value frequent flyer
programs and often make air travel decisions based on the merits of a
particular airline’s program benefits. Recognizing this, Sabre Airline
Solutions and PIA partnered to implement the Traverse system to provide the
carrier with a scalable and reliable frequent flyer system capable of
expanding the value and benefits of Awards+Plus.
“PIA has gained tremendous benefits from Sabre Airline Solutions’
technologies,” said Alamzeb Afridi, General Manager, Marketing Support Systems
for PIA. “With the addition of the Traverse system, we will be able to provide
Awards +Plus members with greater customer service than we could previously.
The partner profile and management aspects of the system enable us to add new
partners and functionality to the Awards +Plus program, increasing the
benefits and value of the program for our members. In addition, the Traverse
system provides greater efficiency for our agents in terms of time required
for processing member information and the ability to perform other duties.”
PIA utilizes the Traverse system as a Sabre eMergo Web-enabled solution, the
Sabre Airline Solutions’ applications service provider (ASP) model. By using
the eMergo delivery, airlines can access the comprehensive portfolio of Sabre
Airline Solutions optimization technology through the Internet or a dedicated
circuit, which saves the costs that typically would be required with hardware
and software acquisition, system implementation, support personnel, data
storage and ongoing maintenance. These savings are producing significant
financial results for customers – typically a 30% or better reduction in total
cost of ownership versus traditional, proprietary-based solutions.
“The Sabre Traverse system’s ASP interface relieves us of the burden of
maintaining a costly infrastructure to support our loyalty program,” Afridi
continued. “Now we can maintain our entire program online. This type of
automation is critical for PIA in our key international cities. Accessing
these capabilities via the Web helps us better perform in today’s highly
competitive airline industry.”
The Traverse system has enabled PIA to take Awards +Plus to new heights
by:
- Providing a real-time loyalty management system that can be managed
from anywhere around the world, - Enabling an interface between reservations and check in.
- Providing direct connectivity to loyalty data from PIA’s Web site,
enabling members to enroll, view statements, view activity and change
profiles all online.
“Airlines are examining their costs more closely than ever, looking for
solutions that provide the greatest value for their investment,” said Steve
Clampett, president of Airline Products and Services for Sabre Airline
Solutions. “The Traverse loyalty management system provides PIA with a cost-
effective foundation for the Awards +Plus program. With the Traverse system,
airlines utilize a robust solution that adapts to their ever-changing needs.
It is one of our many solutions with a proven track record for success in the
marketplace.”
Utilizing the system’s enhanced functionality, PIA can now form
partnerships that will allow its members to earn points through both airline
and non-airline activities. The carrier also will offer targeted promotions
that better meet the needs of the rapidly growing Awards +Plus frequent flyer
base, and issue multiple-component awards through simplified business
procedures associated with award re-deposits and re-issuance.
Other carriers that have implemented the Traverse system include Air
Malta, Regional Express and Royal Brunei Airlines.
About Pakistan International Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operates to 70 destinations (38
international and 37 domestic) in countries spread over four continents of the
globe.
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, Traverse and
eMergo 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- 01/20/2004
/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; Pakistan International Airlines
ST: Texas
IN: AIR TRA CPR STW ITE NET
SU:
AL
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