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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3878 01/20/2004 08:31 EST http://www.prnewswire.com
