Separate Deal with lastminute.com Underscores Sabre Holdings Value to Travel Providers
SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 10, 2007–Sabre Airline Solutions, the leading provider of operational and decision support technology for the world’s airlines, has signed a multi-million dollar deal with Royal Air Maroc (RAM) for products to help plan and improve flight scheduling. Another deal has been signed for crew management products.
The North African carrier has also signed with Sabre Airline Solutions’ sister company lastminute.com to have the car hire section of the RAM Web-site powered by Holiday Autos. This lastminute.com-owned car rental broker already powers the car hire section of Atlas Blue, the no-frills carrier owned by RAM.
RAM will use Sabre AirFlite Schedule Manager to develop flight schedules that best meet customer needs, while Sabre AirFlite Profit Manager will help it analyse strengths or weaknesses in its flight timings and the financial impact of individual timetable changes.
The crew management deal sees RAM using the Sabre Rocade Crew Management System to generate optimal crew pairings, automatically generating rosters and tracking daily crew operations. The system generates cost-effective crew pairings and automatically generates crew rosters that meet crew legality rules, including governmental and regulatory requirements, airport restrictions, crew training and licensing, airline-specific requirements and individual crew preferences.
RAM already uses maintenance and engineering products from Sabre Airline Solutions, as well as some of the company’s revenue management tools through a partnership with Air France.
RAM is a rapidly-growing network carrier, with a strong portfolio of no-frills and regional airline brands. It is increasing its capacity rapidly and upgrading its IT platforms steadily.
“We’re committed to helping RAM achieve some pretty significant growth plans,” said Maher Koubaa, Sabre Airline Solutions’ director of the Middle East and Africa region. “RAM needs new technology and new processes to support this growth. We’re uniquely positioned to offer a complete, integrated package that is scalable and flexible to fit the different needs of its various brands.”
“Sabre Airline Solutions has the technology we need now and provides the flexibility we need to adapt quickly to growth and new business models in the future,” said Mohamed Diane, chief information officer of Royal Air Maroc. “Their decision-support software will enable us to drive out costs and grow revenue, all while maintaining operational excellence in a rapid growth environment.”
The deals with both Sabre Airline Solutions and lastminute.com demonstrate the value, beyond the traditional GDS function, that the combined Sabre business is able to bring to travel providers. By working with both Sabre Holdings companies, RAM will be able to reduce operating costs, offer an enhanced service to its customers and generate greater revenues.
Koubaa said Sabre Airline Solutions had started to focus more heavily on the North African region, and was growing its regional support and development centre to provide locally-based account managers.
About Sabre Airline Solutions
Sabre Airline Solutions, a Sabre Holdings company, is the world’s largest provider of smart, proven, bankable products to help airlines market, sell, serve and operate from planning to execution. The company provides unmatched breadth and depth of integrated, dynamic business solutions delivered by experts to reduce airlines’ costs, increase revenue and optimize the customer experience.
More than 250 airlines use its broad portfolio of 112 decision-support tools to increase revenues and improve operations. 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. More than 650 contracts worldwide were signed in 2006 for Sabre Airline Solutions’ leading technology solutions.
Sabre Holdings 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, Sabre AirFlite Schedule Manager, Sabre AirFlite Profit Manager and Sabre Rocade Crew Management System 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.
About Royal Air Maroc
Royal Air Maroc flies to more than 64 destinations (52
international) in thirty countries of Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East. It ensures over 1200 flights per week with a fleet of 43 aircrafts new generation.
CONTACT: TextWrite
Peter Heath, 01844-210650
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Sabre
Nancy St. Pierre, 682-605-3864
Copyright Business Wire 2007
