SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Sep 07, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Sabre Travel Network today announced that close to 100
percent of Sabre Connected North American travel agencies are
participating in its Efficient Access Solution (EAS) program. And with
the commitment of American Airlines – announced last week – eight US
carriers have now joined the program, all with long-term contracts
that ensure EAS agencies will have full travel content and other
benefits.
With eight carriers under five- to seven-year contracts and with
close to 100 percent of the agencies participating in EAS, Sabre
Travel Network remains on track for strong and predictable cash flows
and operating margins for the foreseeable future.
In addition to offering agencies full travel content, EAS provides
the best terms available for non-discriminatory access and protection
from service fees from participating airlines. It also sets the stage
for the next phase of Sabre’s Efficient Marketplace, as the foundation
for end-to-end solutions that bring together travel reservations and
client management tools, training resources, and community interaction
into easily configurable and innovative new options to manage and grow
business for corporate and leisure agencies.
“The EAS program has clearly taken hold, and that’s an all-around
win for the travel industry,” said Tom Klein, group president, Sabre
Travel Network and Sabre Airline Solutions. “Agents, suppliers,
corporations, global distribution providers, even travelers themselves
are now in a position of strength and stability to get back to the
business of providing and enjoying the benefits of a balanced and
complete travel distribution marketplace where opportunities for
business success and ultimate travel flexibility are assured.”
Scott Booth, vice president of distribution strategies, Tzell
Travel Group said: “As a top five ranked U.S. travel management
corporation, Tzell must have full content access, and we need to avoid
the extra costs associated with airlines’ imposed booking fees. We
applaud Sabre for being a travel agency advocate and leading the
industry with the Efficient Access Solution in order to provide agents
with the tools to succeed in the changing marketplace.”
Participants in the EAS program cover every size US agency – both
online and offline agencies – specializing in both corporate and
leisure business. In addition to American Airlines, the EAS program
carriers include United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines,
Continental Airlines, US Airways, Alaska Airlines and Air Tran
Airways.
“The overwhelming agency support for this program is a
confirmation of our long-time agency advocacy and the solid benefits
of the Efficient Access Solution,” Klein continued. “We also applaud
the eight carriers participating in our EAS program for their
long-term commitments to access to full content.”
Since the introduction of the EAS program, Sabre has provided
additional information on the enhanced portfolios for the corporate
and leisure marketplace. In July, Sabre previewed its new end-to-end
offering that builds for the corporate market at the National Business
Travel Association International Convention and Exhibition in Chicago.
Next week, the company will showcase its comprehensive portfolio for
the leisure marketplace as part of the American Society of Travel
Agents’ Travel Retail and Destination Expo in Orlando.
About Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network, a Sabre Holdings company, provides access to
the world’s leading global distribution system (GDS). The Sabre GDS is
a ready-built efficient marketplace that connects suppliers, including
hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotels, with more than 50,000
travel agency locations. Suppliers get access through one single
connection; travel agents get real time access to thousands of travel
products from multiple suppliers through one source integrated into
their businesses; consumers get access to a global supermarket of the
world’s greatest travel possibilities.
Key brands of Sabre Travel Network include GetThere, the leading
Web-based corporate travel reservation technology, and Jurni Network,
the unique leisure travel agency consortium in the United States that
enables members to sell more products from preferred travel suppliers
using sophisticated market intelligence.
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.
Statements in this release which are not purely historical facts
or which necessarily depend upon future events, including statements
about revenue or cashflow expected from agreements with airlines, or
levels of travel agency participation in the Efficient Access Solution
program, and Sabre Holdings Corporation’s statements about
anticipations, beliefs, expectations, hopes, intentions or strategies
for the future, may be forward looking statements within the meaning
of 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 Sabre Holdings Corporation on the date this release was
issued. Sabre Holdings Corporation 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 risks
or uncertainties related to Sabre Holdings Corporation revenues being
subject to adverse changes to our travel supplier or travel agency
relationships and potential substantial decreases in travel
transaction volumes. Sabre Holdings Corporation may not succeed in
addressing these and other risks. Further information regarding
factors that could affect our financial and other results can be found
in the risk factors section of Sabre Holdings Corporation’s most
recent filing on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
SOURCE: Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network Kathryn Hayden, 682-605-2252 kathryn.hayden@sabre-holdings.com