SOUTHLAKE, Texas & BANGKOK, Thailand–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 15,
2006–Sabre Airline Solutions, the leading provider of software and
services to the airline industry from planning to execution, today
announced Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) has
chosen the Sabre AirFlite Suite to maximize total network
profitability by optimizing their network and fleet structures.
Announced today at an executive signing ceremony in Bangkok, THAI
becomes the 16th airline in the Asia Pacific region and joins other
leading carriers that employ AirFlite to optimize its flight
scheduling operations. With over 70 customers, including 24 out of the
top 25 airlines, Sabre AirFlite Suite is the market leader in the area
of airline planning and scheduling.
In a two-phased approach, Thailand’s leading carrier will
implement several modules from the AirFlite Suite including Sabre
AirFlite Schedule Manager, Sabre AirFlite Profit Manager, Sabre
AirFlite Fleet Manager, Sabre AirFlite SlotManager, Sabre AirFlite
Codeshare Manager and Sabre AirFlite Budget Manager.
Specific core components of the AirFlite suite to be implemented
by Thai Airways include:
-- Sabre AirFlite Schedule Manager - a system that enables
schedulers to continuously explore better scheduling
solutions. Using the system, schedulers can manage flight
schedules, view single or multiple flight schedules and update
and distribute flight schedules.
-- Sabre AirFlite Fleet Manager - a system that optimizes fleet
capacity to market demand to maximize total network
profitability within the airline's operating constraints. The
system also quantifies the financial impact associated with
individual operating constraints and evaluates the financial
impact of varying fleet and equipment types on a proposed
schedule.
-- Sabre AirFlite Profit Manager - a system that enables airlines
to evaluate the profitability of a proposed flight schedule,
forecast market share resulting from the implementation of a
proposed schedule and evaluate the impact on profitability
from proposed schedule changes.
According to Flg. Off. Apinan Sumanaseni, THAI’s president, Sabre
AirFlite Suite was selected as the clear market leader with the
functionality to improve the carrier’s network, schedule and fleet
deployment.
“In today’s challenging environment, we recognize the strategic
importance of focusing on proven solutions that deliver desired
results. As the national carrier, THAI recognizes the importance of
efficient and effective flight network planning. In order to support
the network management plan which is the key area in an airline
business, we have to be equipped with the highest technology for a
complete network planning system. Sabre Airline Solutions’ planning
and scheduling suite will enable us to boost our decision-making
capabilities and help increase our bookings revenue whilst decreasing
our operating costs.”
Jim Barlow, senior vice president, revenue planning products,
Sabre Airline Solutions, said typically the Sabre AirFlite Suite
enables a 3 percent – 9 percent improvement in operating profit.
“The Sabre AirFlite Suite will give THAI the tools to achieve a
range of outcomes such as the ability to evaluate the profitability of
a proposed flight schedule, optimize seat capacity, manage codeshare
flights, manage slots at different slot controlled airports and the
ability to maximize fleet management and profitability across all its
domestic, regional and intercontinental routes.”
He added, “Sabre Airline Solutions has made a significant
investment in the development our new generation AirFlite suite to
Java architecture, enabling better usability, integration and decision
support. The new contract with THAI is yet another sign of the
continuing interest in this state-of-art application suite.”
With the addition of Thai Airways, over 70 customers around the
world utilize at least one module of the Sabre AirFlite Suite
including Air China, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Airways, China
Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan
Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Korean Airlines, Malaysia
Airlines, Qantas and Singapore Airlines in Asia Pacific.
Thai Airways is a long-term customer of Sabre Airline Solutions
and already utilizes the PC AirFlite flight scheduling system, the
Sabre Qik Business Processing Solutions, the Sabre AirOps Dispatch
Manager, the Sabre Streamline Resource Management Suite and the Sabre
AirCrews Crew Management Suite.
About Thai Airways International Public Company Limited
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited is the national
carrier of the Kingdom of Thailand. Founded in 1960, it operates
domestic, regional and intercontinental flights. THAI flies to 74
destinations in 35 countries around the world. The company is 53.77%
owned by the Thai Government through the Ministry of Finance. THAI has
over 25,000 employees and a total of 87 aircraft in its fleet.
THAI’s philosophy is to provide full service to premium
passengers, while maintaining its standard of service to leisure
travelers. THAI aims to be the “First Choice Carrier with Touches of
Thai”. The success of THAI is apparent through numerous customer
surveys conducted by well-known institutions both within and outside
Thailand, resulting in awards such as the Skytrax Award for Cabin
Staff Service Excellence 2006. Safety is THAI’s top priority and its
maintenance standard is recognized by the Federal Aviation
Administration of the USA (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA).
THAI is one of the founding members of Star Alliance, the airline
network for Earth. More information on THAI is available at
www.thaiairways.com
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, while more than 500
use its leading operational technology. 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.
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,
SabreSonic, CargoMax, AirFlite, AirMax, AirOps, AirServ, AirCrews and
Sabre Travel Network 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.
CONTACT: Sabre Airline Solutions, Southlake
Media Contact:
Kathryn Hayden, 682-605-2252
kathryn.hayden@sabre-holdings.com
or
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited
Media Contact:
Corporate Communications Department
Phone: 66 2 545 2662, 66 2 545 1711
public.relations@thaiairways.com
SOURCE: Sabre Airline Solutions