SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 7, 2004–Sabre Airline Solutions has named Murray Smyth as its new vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Smyth will be responsible for the sales and account management division of Sabre Airline Solutions across the region, in more than 50 countries and including virtually every major European airline. Working closely with Sabre Travel Network and Travelocity, Smyth is charged with helping to expand Sabre’s presence in the region with the provision of consulting, technology solutions and services to the airline and travel industries.
“Murray has a depth of experience in our industry and has lead teams that repeatedly met and exceeded targets in what is a challenging and competitive marketplace,” said Greg Gilchrist, senior vice president of sales and account management. “His knowledge, industry insight and years of experience will help drive Sabre Airline Solutions forward in the region.”
Smyth will focus on continuing the momentum Sabre Airline Solutions has achieved in EMEA in 2004, which includes nearly 100 contracts signed to date in 2004. Smyth will also drive forward SabreSonic, the first new generation passenger services suite inclusive of reservations, departure control, e-ticketing, Internet booking and comprehensive GDS connectivity. SabreSonic was launched in early 2004 and already more than a dozen carriers have leveraged the open systems solution, including Air One and Aeroflot in the EMEA region.
Prior to joining Sabre Airline Solutions, Smyth led Transport & Technology Consulting, based in Australia, providing business process improvement and change management services to airline clients in the Asia Pacific region. He has also held senior management roles at Deloitte Consulting and Unisys, building and leading teams delivering consulting services and solutions to the aviation and travel sectors. He has led major engagements at many airlines and associated service providers, including clients such as Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Abacus, IBM and IATA.
Smyth plans to leverage this experience along with the broad assets of the company to address the needs of EMEA carriers in the current environment: “Sabre Airline Solutions can uniquely provide all of the solutions and services that enable airline and travel companies to achieve the levels of business performance and flexibility required for them to be successful today. We plan to work closely with our customers to help them address the challenges of our increasingly demanding industry.”
“Sabre Airline Solutions has made significant announcements in EMEA in 2004 with carriers including bmibaby, Duo, Air One, Alitalia, and has already surpassed the total number of contacts signed in 2003,” added Gilchrist. “Key to this success has been an in-depth knowledge of the market, and Murray’s industry insight and years of experience will be leveraged to work in cooperative efforts with airlines to adjust and succeed in this very dynamic and challenging travel environment.”
Smyth takes over from Vinay Dube, who will be returning back to Southlake, Texas to assume the strategic role as vice president of Product Portfolio Management.
About Sabre Airline Solutions
Sabre Airline Solutions, a Sabre Holdings company, is the world’s largest provider of software products, reservations, departure control and other passenger management systems, and consulting services that help airlines simplify operations and lower costs. Sabre Airline Solutions’ proven leadership is demonstrated by the growing number of airlines that leverage the technology and services: More than 200 airlines worldwide use Sabre Airline Solutions’ broad portfolio of smart solutions for decision-support tools to increase revenues and improve operations. More than 100 airlines worldwide rely on Sabre Airline Solutions for passenger management solutions, with 15 new carriers added and nine carrier renewals for SabreSonic Res advanced reservations and departure control systems in 2003. In addition, more than 100 clients worldwide have turned to Sabre Airline Solutions consulting group for strategic, commercial and operational consulting. More than 500 contracts worldwide were signed in 2003 within Sabre Airline Solutions and nearly 400 have been signed in the first half of 2004.
Sabre Holdings Corp. (NYSE:TSG) is a world leader in travel commerce, 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 Corporation. All other trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
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http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=4779202
CONTACT: Sabre Airline Solutions, Southlake
Kathryn Hayden, 682-605-2252
kathryn.hayden@sabre-holdings.com
SOURCE: Sabre Airline Solutions
