Sabre and Air India ink deal to enable travel
sellers globally to access Air India fares and inventory through
Sabre's Global Distribution System (GDS) while creating optimal
network plans for the carrier's existing and future fleet
SOUTHLAKE, Texas, April 27,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ:
SABR), a leading software and technology provider that powers the
global travel industry, and Air India, one of India's leading airlines and a Star Alliance member, today announced a new
multi-year deal that enables travel agents and corporations around
the world to access Air India fares and seats through Sabre's
extensive global travel marketplace.
Having recently placed the biggest aircraft order in aviation
history for 470 aircraft, Air India is forging ahead with ambitious
expansion plans. In addition to the distribution services, Air
India is utilizing Sabre's consultancy expertise to help determine
optimal routes for its existing and new fleet.
"The Indian travel market is back, and it's coming back strong,"
said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief
Commercial & Transformation Officer, Air India. "So, we're
delighted to have re-established, and enhanced, our relationship
with Sabre at this transformative time for Air India, and the wider
Indian travel marketplace. This long-term global distribution
partnership will support our ambitious growth plans while paving
the ground for our transition towards a more dynamic,
merchandising-focused model, designed to unlock the value of Air
India's products and services."
"As well as coming together once more under a new GDS agreement,
we're excited to be working hand-in-hand with Sabre's incredibly
knowledgeable consultancy team on the development of a clean-sheet,
long-term network plan," added Mr Aggarwal. "We are confident this
will strengthen Air India's position in our domestic and
international routes and help us to become more competitive on the
global aviation stage. We are delighted to further strengthen our
relationship with Sabre and look forward to closer collaboration in
the coming years."
Now under the ownership of the Tata Group, Air India, as part of
its five-year transformation plan, titled Vihaan.AI because it
means 'the dawn of a new era' in Sanskrit, is substantially
expanding its fleet and network, revamping its customer
proposition, and improving reliability in operations to emerge as
one of the world's premier carriers.
The new deal marks an important new chapter in the relationship
between Air India and Sabre and is testament to Sabre's commitment
to the Indian travel market. Air India content is expected to be available from
May 4 through Sabre's travel
marketplace. The expertise housed in Sabre's Bengaluru capability
centre will provide close proximity support for Air India's
innovation and transformation journey.
While historically, airlines building a schedule for the next
season have relied on previous plans, clean-sheet scheduling gives
carriers the ultimate flexibility to develop a more optimal
schedule for operational efficiency, increased reliability,
enhanced revenue, and traveler satisfaction. Sabre's consultancy
work with Air India includes an in-depth market evaluation, the
development of new hub and schedule structural designs, and
detailed planning of route network and capacity over a 10-year
horizon, as well as the optimization of fleet assignment across its
system.
"We are confident Air India will gain substantial value by
having access and reach to Sabre's global network of travel
agencies, in conjunction with benefiting from our route planning
expertise," said Roshan Mendis,
Chief Commercial Officer, Sabre Travel Solutions. "And, our travel
agency partners in India and
around the world will gain greatly from having access to Air
India's products and services."
About Sabre Corporation
Sabre Corporation is a leading software and technology
company that powers the global travel industry, serving a wide
range of travel companies including airlines,
hoteliers, travel agencies and other suppliers. The company
provides retailing, distribution and fulfilment solutions that help
its customers operate more efficiently, drive revenue and offer
personalized traveller experiences. Through its leading travel
marketplace, Sabre connects travel suppliers with buyers from
around the globe. Sabre's technology platform manages more than
$260B worth of global travel spend
annually. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more
than 160 countries around the world. For more information
visit www.sabre.com.
About Air India
Founded by the legendary JRD Tata, Air India
pioneered India's aviation sector.
Since its first flight on October 15,
1932, Air India has an extensive domestic network and has
spread its wings beyond to become a major international airline
with a network across USA,
Canada, UK, Europe, Far-East, South-East Asia, Australia and the Gulf. Air India is a member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline
consortium. After 69 years as a Government-owned enterprise, Air
India and Air India Express were welcomed back into the Tata
group in January 2022. The
present management at Air India is driving the five-year
transformation roadmap under the aegis of Vihaan.AI to
establish itself as a world-class global airline with an Indian
heart.
Vihaan.AI is Air India's transformational roadmap over
five years with clear milestones. It will be focusing on
dramatically growing both its network and fleet, developing a
completely revamped customer proposition, improving reliability and
on-time performance. The airline will also be taking a leadership
position in technology, sustainability, and innovation, while
aggressively investing in the best industry talent. Vihaan.AI is
aimed at putting Air India on a path to sustained growth,
profitability and market leadership.
SABR-F
Sabre Contacts:
Media
Kristin
Hays
kristin.hays@sabre.com
Heidi Castle
heidi.castle@sabre.com
Investors
Brian
Roberts
sabre.investorrelations@sabre.com
Media Contacts – Air India:
Aruna Gopalakrishnan
Email: aruna.gopalakrishnan@airindia.com
Ronit Baugh
Email: ronit.baugh@airindia.com
Sameek Bhattacharya
Email: sameek.bhatacharya@airindia.com
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SOURCE Sabre Corporation