Etihad agrees billion dollar deal with Sabre
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has entered a billion dollar 10-year deal with technology giant Sabre, which will give agents access to the airline's real-time access to fares and flight information.
Etihad said the deal was the result of "an exhaustive selection process" and will see the airline use integrated software across its reservations, inventory, marketing, planning, ecommerce, distribution and departure control operations by February 2013.
The Sabre-created software will be implemented by February, 2013 and will significantly reduce the airline’s technology costs, it said.
Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer James Hogan added: “This groundbreaking deal will play a pivotal role in providing Etihad Airways with the tools necessary to achieve its next phase of growth and profitability targets in an innovative, sustainable and cost effective manner.
“It will be the single largest technology-enabled business change that Etihad Airways will undertake in a decade."
Etihad Airways will also be able to access the Sabre global distribution system to market and sell products and services.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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