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
