DATE: February 6, 2006
SOURCE: Press Release
Ethiopian Airlines has signed a contract worth over US$10.5 million (£5.8 million) with Sabre Airline Solutions for its passenger management system. Under the agreement Ethiopian Airlines is migrating off a SITA system and onto the SabreSonic Passenger Solutions technology platform by the end of this year (2006).
The airline will use SabreSonic reservations, online booking, e-ticketing, code-sharing and departure control systems. It will also use the Sabre Traveler Loyalty System frequent flyer management product and the Sabre AirPrice fares management system.
The SabreSonic suite uses the broadest array of innovative technology in the industry to help airlines market, sell, serve customers and operate more effectively.
“The key phrase behind our new relationship with Sabre Airline Solutions is ‘systems integration’,” said Ato Girma Wake, Ethiopian Airlines’ chief executive officer. “Sabre Airline Solutions has a large portfolio of proven software and decision-support tools that will help us master the current and future growth of our airline. As the IT needs of Ethiopian grow and evolve, we believe Sabre Airline Solutions will be able to accommodate us, both with its products and through its renowned consulting business. We see this new co-operation as a partnership that will allow both our companies to expand their presence in Africa and beyond.”
Ethiopian is Africa’s aviation pioneer and has recently embarked on an ambitious expansion program. It will also be Africa’s launch customer for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2008. Ato Girma Wake said Ethiopian planned to expand significantly over the next five years and needed to upgrade its marketing, operational and decision-support systems. Sabre Airline Solutions’ passenger management system portfolio will play a key role in harnessing Ethiopian’s growth plan
Ato Girma Wake said Ethiopian would see particular expansion in the international market and in cargo transportation, but would also be growing domestically. The airline opened a new flight to Paris last year, and is considering new routes to the US and China. It is also considering code-sharing and airline alliance options. This expansion is driving a need for Ethiopian to upgrade its marketing, operational and decision-support technology, he said, and the airline wishes to move towards a single-supplier strategy for most of its systems.
“This is the first major step we are taking to enable Ethiopian with its ambitious business plans,” said Murray Smyth, Sabre Airline Solutions’ senior vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “Sabre offers the most complete suite of marketing, selling, customer service and operational tools in the travel industry. We plan further to co-operate with Ethiopian to maximize its future business performance by using some of these tools in other areas such as travel distribution and operations management, in combination with expert advisory services from our consulting group.”
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 and SabreSonic 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.
|
|
