SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 13, 2006–Sabre Airline
Solutions, the industry leader in innovative technology that helps
airlines better market and sell products, serve customers and operate
fleets, today announced that the company’s business consulting
organization has seen significant growth worldwide in 2005, achieving
a more than 50 percent increase in revenue year-over-year. This marks
the third consecutive year of growth for the consulting unit, with
engagements more than tripling since 2002.
Sabre consulting engagements in 2005 revolved around significant
industry trends tied to cost control and revenue performance. Airline
clients’ consulting needs were particularly related to turnaround and
restructuring, revenue management, development of airline alliances
and airline planning. In addition, Sabre Airline Solutions consultants
established a world-leading practice in airline planning this past
year.
Highlights of 2005 consulting engagements included bringing value
to carriers in the following areas:
Turnaround and Restructuring:
Aloha Airlines — In the area of turnaround and restructuring,
Sabre Airline Solutions’ consulting team worked in concert with the
management of Aloha Airlines to develop the restructuring plan that
helped the carrier recently emerge from bankruptcy.
According to David Banmiller, Aloha Airlines president and CEO,
“Sabre’s consultants provided valuable hands-on services to Aloha
during the year-long process of restructuring. They understand the
economics of airline business. Their practical work helped to drive
commercial and operational benefits for our company, and assisted us
to attract new investors. Their efforts, in partnership with Aloha’s
team, contributed to a rapid emergence from bankruptcy, reduced
Aloha’s costs by $75 million on an annual basis, and paved the way for
Aloha’s future with a low cost base and strong balance sheet.”
The changes made as a result of the restructuring will provide
long lasting benefits for the airline. Sabre’s work included network
and fleet planning, cargo, crew and airport manpower planning,
distribution, alliance analysis, pricing and revenue management, and
fuel conservation.
Gulf Air — Sabre consultants also recently helped Gulf Air
realize financial benefits of more than $30 million a year. The
18-month ‘no gain, no fee’ consulting engagement involved changes in
seven areas of the airline’s operations, and leveraged Sabre products
to help the airline market its schedule, sell tickets, serve its
customers and operate more efficiently.
Payment for the project was dependent on the Sabre consultants
helping to achieve measurable improvements in Gulf Air’s fuel
consumption, pricing and revenue management, sales, distribution,
e-ticketing, on-time performance and airport operations. The deal was
signed with agreed-upon criteria for measuring improvement.
Yemen Airways — A recent engagement with Yemen Airways is another
example of superior, rapid results delivered by Sabre Airline
Solutions consultants in the area of turnaround consulting. After six
months of working with Sabre consultants on its turnaround efforts,
Yemen Airways realized benefits of more than $6 million.
Revenue Management
Air One — Valuable pricing and inventory management strategies
were developed by the Sabre Airline Solutions consulting group at Air
One. In a very competitive marketplace with both traditional network
and low-cost carrier competition, Sabre consultants worked
side-by-side with Air One management and analysts in developing
successful market-specific pricing and inventory tactics. Also key to
the success of the project was the development and implementation of
business process improvements.
According to Giorgio De Roni, Air One head of Network & Marketing,
“Sabre’s consultants provided both valuable higher level strategic and
detailed tactical assistance. They were able to develop, implement and
monitor successful pricing and inventory management tactics
specifically for our marketplace. The focused initiatives, in
partnership with the Air One revenue management team, contributed to
double digit unit revenue improvement year-over-year.”
Airline Planning
TACA International Airlines — An airline planning engagement can
include many activities ranging from alliance evaluation to code share
analysis, long- and short-term network planning and fleet
optimization. This represented a significant area of growth for Sabre
Airline Solutions’ consulting business in 2005. The team engaged in a
number of successful planning projects with airlines worldwide,
including TACA International Airlines in Latin America.
Sabre consultants worked with the management at TACA International
Airlines based in Salvador to develop a five-year network and fleet
plan.
“Sabre’s quantitative and detailed approach helped us to evaluate
a number of network scenarios and strategic partnership options with
other airlines,” said Roberto Kriete, CEO of TACA .
“In 2005, the consulting group achieved significant growth and
expanded its client base in all regions of the world,” said Nejib
Ben-Khedher, senior vice-president of the consulting practice for
Sabre Airline Solutions. “More importantly, we contributed exceptional
value for our clients, enhancing their performance and establishing
Sabre as their partner. Last year Sabre Airline Solutions doubled its
consulting revenue in North America, China, Europe and the Middle East. We offer
unmatched capabilities from hands-on airline experts backed by Sabre’s
leading decision support tools. We would like to be known, not for the
number of engagements that we are signing, but for the true value that
we deliver to our clients in short time frames.”
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 Sabre
Airline Solutions’ leading technology 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 and the Sabre Airline Solutions logo 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
Media Contact
Kathryn Hayden, 682-605-2252
kathryn.hayden@sabre-holdings.com
SOURCE: Sabre Airline Solutions