SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Apr 6, 2004 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Sabre Airline Solutions announced today that Aloha Airlines has selected the company’s revenue and fares management solutions provided through its applications service provider (ASP) delivery option to leverage an integrated solution for pricing analysis and flexibility. In addition, the airline has implemented revenue management for passenger and group sales with a PC-based planning and scheduling system to improve the carrier’s aircraft utilization. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
For the revenue and fares management solutions, Aloha is implementing Sabre Airline Solutions’ AirMax Revenue Manager, AirMax Group Manager and AirPrice Fares Manager solutions, scheduled for completion in June 2004. These solutions will enable Aloha to selectively price and revenue manage passenger bookings, adjust inventories and prices up to and including the day of operation in response to demand, and improve profitability through more effective fares management. The new systems will be delivered through the Sabre eMergo Web-enabled and dedicated network solutions, the company’s ASP delivery method. eMergo provides Aloha access to the productivity tools utilized by larger airlines, while ensuring a lower total cost of ownership by eliminating upfront hardware costs.
In addition, Aloha Airlines has implemented PC AirFlite a powerful, PC- based, desktop system that gives flight schedulers comprehensive tools during all stages of the schedule development process. The system helps the airline seamlessly integrate core flight scheduling functions such as scheduling, aircraft utilization analysis and code share management in order to improve accuracy and reduce schedule development efforts. Since PC AirFlite runs on a PC, hardware costs are minimal and existing hardware may often be used.
“These products will enable Aloha to grow, streamline our operations and compete effectively,” said Randy Laser, vice president at Aloha Airlines. “We gain performance-enhancing capabilities without having to resort to costly infrastructure upgrades. By choosing the eMergo delivery model, we avoid major upfront costs and better position ourselves to focus resources on our core operations.”
The agreement with Sabre Airline Solutions demonstrates Aloha’s continued investment in new and leading technology to drive its expansion strategy while increasing profitability.
“This successful partnership is based on our appreciation for Sabre Airline Solutions’ proven track record of delivering strong return on investment,” continued Laser. “The stability and integrity of Sabre Airline Solutions’ systems across the airline industry certainly played a significant role in our decision.”
Steve Clampett, president of Airline Products and Services for Sabre Airline Solutions explained that the company’s investment philosophy is centered on providing technology that does match the needs of the airlines.
“Sabre Airline Solutions is fortunate because we have the infrastructure to make investments in technology that many of the niche players in the market cannot make,” said Clampett. “But it is the combination of having the resources to make the investments and then making sure these investments are the right investments and are customer centric that is core to our ability to provide smart solutions to our airline community of customers.”
Aloha Airlines has been an innovator in inter-island travel and is continuing the same trend on its trans-Pacific and international routes.
According to Sabre Airline Solutions, the successful implementation and use of the suite of products alone can deliver up to five percent improvement in a carrier’s revenue. This includes a typical three percent to five percent gain for AirMax Revenue Manager, a one percent to three percent gain for AirPrice system, and an additional one percent gain for integration of these capabilities.
“As Aloha strives for growth, both in market share and revenues, the Sabre Airline Solutions systems they have chosen provide a strong and integrated approach to adopting leading-edge technology to improve business performance,” said Laser. “While Aloha has been ahead of the curve regionally in several categories, this move improves and solidifies Aloha’s path to true industry leadership.”
About Aloha Airlines
Founded in 1946, Aloha operates an average of 145 daily flights with a fleet of Boeing 737 jets. Aloha serves all of Hawaii and West Coast cities of Burbank, Oakland, Orange County and Sacramento, Calif.; Las Vegas and Reno, Nev.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Vancouver, Canada; and destinations in the Central and South Pacific. The airline’s outstanding in-flight service was recently recognized as the first place Diamond Award winner in international competition conducted by Onboard Services magazine. Aloha provides an enhanced level of in-flight service on its transpacific flights. Passengers in both First and Coach Class enjoy Hawaii Regional Cuisine dishes created by acclaimed Master Chef Alan Wong, whose Honolulu restaurant has been rated among the Top 10 restaurants in the United States by Gourmet magazine. Aloha also offers passengers a complimentary mai-tai cocktail, free headsets for movie and audio entertainment, and its ever popular warm freshly baked cookies served with a cold glass of milk. Travelers can choose to earn AlohaPass or United Mileage Plus miles on every flight. For more information, visit www.AlohaAirlines.com
About Sabre Airline Solutions
Sabre Airline Solutions, a Sabre Holdings company, is the world’s largest provider of software products, reservations and departure control systems 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 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.
Sabre Holdings Corporation (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, PC AirFlite, AirMax Revenue Manager, AirMax Group Manager, Air Price Fares Manager and eMergo are trademarks and/or service marks of an affiliate of Sabre Holdings Corporation.
SOURCE Sabre Airline Solutions
Kathryn Hayden of Sabre Airline Solutions, +1-682-605-2252, or Kathryn.hayden@sabre-holdings.com
http://www.sabre-holdings.com
