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
