SOUTHLAKE, Texas, April 17, 2008 – V Australia, the international airline of Virgin Blue, and Sabre Travel Network, the world’s largest global distribution system (GDS), have signed a multi-year distribution agreement that will allow the airline’s fares and inventory to be made available to all Sabre Connected travel agents worldwide.
The Sabre Travel Network distribution agreement with V Australia makes its fares available to Sabre Connected travel agencies and corporations worldwide, with premium connectivity and electronic ticketing.
V Australia will initially operate flights between the east coast of Australia and the west coast of the US, commencing operations in December 2008.
As the world’s largest global distribution system (GDS), Sabre Travel Network provides V Australia the ability to reach more leisure and corporate travelers by using a multi-channel distribution strategy.
“The decision to utilize the Sabre GDS channel is important in our V Australia distribution strategy as we prepare to launch a new airline into global markets,” said Brett Godfrey, chief executive officer of Virgin Blue.
“We expect it will be advantageous to early sales penetration in international markets and to delivering significant booking share in key markets in the US and Australia,” he said.
The distribution agreement between Sabre Travel Network and Virgin Blue’s V Australia, adds to an already wide-ranging business relationship. Virgin Blue uses many operational solutions from Sabre Airline Solutions including, the AirFlite Suite, AirOps Suite, AirCrews management system and AirMax Revenue Manager, among others.
“Sabre and Virgin Blue have an excellent and extensive working relationship,” said Hans Belle, vice president for Sabre Travel Network Asia Pacific.
“We look forward to helping V Australia extend its global reach through our corporate and agency partnerships. Sabre Travel Network is uniquely qualified to help with the launch of V Australia’s US /Trans-Pacific routes as it’s in our market sweet spot.”
About Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network, a Sabre Holdings company, provides the most comprehensive end-to-end solutions for corporate and leisure travel. The Sabre GDS is the foundation for these solutions, providing a ready-built efficient marketplace that connects travel suppliers, including hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotels, with more than 50,000 travel agency locations. Currently, Sabre collectively handles over 70 percent of the BTN 100 bookings.
Key brands of Sabre Travel Network include GetThere, for corporate travel reservation technology; Nexion, a host agency; SynXis, for hotel reservation management, distribution and technology services; E-site marketing, specializing in online business solutions exclusively for the hospitality industry TRAMS, mid- and back-office solutions and marketing services for travel agencies; and TRAMS Marketing Alliance (TMA), a marketing promotions services for leisure travel agencies. Sabre Travel Network also markets TripTailor Vacations, a travel wholesaler providing dynamic packaging for the travel agency marketplace.
Sabre Holdings 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.
About V Australia
Multi award winning airline Virgin Blue and international carriers Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue currently operate a fleet of 63 modern Boeing 737 and Embraer E-Jet aircraft flying to 24 Australian and eight international destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. The airline has also announced plans to launch a three class long haul airline, V Australia, to operate trans-Pacific services from December 2008. Visit www.virginblue.com.au for more information.