SOUTHLAKE, Texas & ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 10, 2006–Sabre
Airline Solutions and Worldspan, L.P. today announced that they have
jointly implemented a new message routing technique that streamlines
communications links between the global travel industry’s two leading
interline e-ticketing hub providers.
Previously, connections between carriers operating on different
host systems required a unique communications link. The new
“hub-to-hub” connection means message routing between carriers is now
handled at the application level rather than creating a distinct
communication layer for each interline connection.
In an environment where carriers are laboring to meet the
International Air Transport Association (IATA) mandate for 100 percent
electronic ticketing by the end of 2007, this comes as a welcome
development. The benefit for carriers is the ability to activate
interline electronic ticketing projects with more of their valued
airline partners. Many carriers are in the process of evaluating long
lists of interline partners and making business decisions about which
partners will be included in interline electronic ticketing plans.
Faster activation capabilities will allow carriers to include more
interline partners as they move to electronic ticketing.
“One hundred percent electronic ticketing by 2007 makes travel
more convenient for consumers and more efficient for airlines by
leveraging existing technologies,” said Tom Murphy, IATA senior vice
president of Industry Distribution Financial Services. “But we must
speed up the implementation of interline electronic agreements. If we
don’t, airlines will limit their ability to work together to deliver
and profit from a global network. I am delighted to see innovation
being brought to speed up this process. The new approach eases
cooperation between hub providers and should accelerate implementing
interline electronic agreements. It’s good for consumers and for
airlines. And it’s just what IATA would expect from its Simplifying
the Business (StB) Preferred vendor and partners.”
The hub-to-hub connection was first implemented by Worldspan and
Sabre Airline Solutions as part of an interline connection between
Midwest Airlines, connected to the Interline Electronic Ticketing Hub,
a component of SabreSonic Ticket, and Northwest Airlines, connected to
the Worldspan Interchange Hub. Sabre Airline Solutions and Worldspan
estimate this process improvement will cut interline electronic
ticketing activation times for airlines by 50 percent.
With awareness in cost reductions for carriers and heightened
customer satisfaction across the industry, carriers have begun using
e-ticketing as both a cost advantage and an additional
customer-centric offering. With electronic tickets, airlines reduce
costs associated with the production of paper tickets and the manpower
needed to facilitate their use, while increasing customer satisfaction
through the proliferation of more convenient and easier to execute
transfers. It is these benefits that led to a resolution by IATA for
100 percent e-ticketing by the end of 2007, a trend the industry is
quickly moving toward.
About Sabre Airline Solutions
Sabre Airline Solutions, a Sabre Holdings company, is the world’s
largest provider of products to help airlines market, sell, serve and
operate from planning to execution.
More than 200 airlines use its broad portfolio of decision-support
tools to increase revenues and improve operations. More than 100
airlines rely on Sabre Airline Solutions for passenger management
solutions, while a similar number have turned to the company’s
consulting group for strategic, commercial and operational advice.
More than 500 contracts worldwide were signed in 2004 for leading
technology solutions from Sabre Airline Solutions.
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 and
SabreSonic are trademarks and/or service marks of an affiliate of
Sabre Holdings Corp. All other trademarks, service marks and trade
names are the property of their respective owners. (C) 2005 Sabre Inc.
All rights reserved.
About Worldspan, L.P.
Worldspan is a leader in travel technology services for travel
suppliers, travel agencies, e-commerce sites and corporations
worldwide. Utilizing some of the fastest, most flexible and efficient
networks and computing technologies, Worldspan provides comprehensive
electronic data services linking approximately 800 travel suppliers
around the world to a global customer base. Worldspan offers
industry-leading Fares and Pricing technology such as Worldspan
e-Pricing(R), hosting solutions and customized travel products.
Worldspan’s e-ticket Technologies offers a wide range of products to
fit every airlines ET and IET current and future needs. Worldspan
enables travel suppliers, distributors and corporations to reduce
costs and increase productivity with technology like Worldspan Go!(R)
and Worldspan Trip Manager(R) XE. Worldspan is headquartered in
Atlanta, Georgia. Additional information is available at
www.worldspan.com.
Worldspan Forward-Looking Statement
Statements in this release and any exhibits hereto which are not
purely historical facts, including statements about forecasted
financial projections or other statements about anticipations,
beliefs, expectations, hopes, intentions or strategies for the future,
may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All
forward-looking statements are based upon information available to
Worldspan, L.P. (“the Company”) on the date this release was
submitted. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. Any forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
events or results to differ materially from the events or results
described in the forward-looking statements, including, but not
limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: the Company’s revenue
being highly dependent on the travel and transportation industries;
airlines limiting their participation in travel marketing and
distribution services; airlines altering their content or changing the
pricing of such content; or other changes within, or that may affect
the travel industry or the Company. More information on potential
risks and uncertainties is available in the Company’s recent filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s
annual Form 10-K report, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K and Form S-4.
CONTACT: Worldspan, Atlanta
Erin Hadaway, 770-563-6545
erin.hadaway@worldspan.com
or
Sabre Airline Solutions, Southlake
Media Contact:
Kathryn Hayden, 682-605-2252
kathryn.hayden@sabre-holdings.com
SOURCE: Sabre Airline Solutions