Sunday, August 24, 2008

Southlake-based Sabre signs deal with Vietnam Airlines

By Pegasus News wire

Vietnam Airlines, Vietnam’s national carrier, signed two multi-million dollar deals with Southlake-based Sabre Airline Solutions including its comprehensive, modern reservations system. The second deal features a collaboration between Sabre and IBM to provide a world-class online shopping experience via an integrated e-commerce platform.

"Vietnam Airlines has looked long and hard for a technology partner with whom we can create a solid partnership – something we need to continue our growth and to help us reach our business objectives, which includes becoming one of the region’s best airlines. We believe we have found that in Sabre Airline Solutions," said Pham Ngoc Minh, President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines.

In a second agreement with Vietnam Airlines, Sabre worked with IBM to provide the airline with a complete Internet Booking Engine (IBE) that will provide the airline’s customers with a wide-ranging menu of services.

The IBE will let travelers book a variety of ticket options, including multiple connection flights from Vietnam Airlines and its codeshare partners. Travelers can also use the airline’s web capabilities for a variety of services including online booking payments, mobile check in, and request special meals. The airline can also offer car and hotel bookings, international content, currencies support, and graphical seat maps via the booking engine.

According to recent figures by IDG Ventures, Vietnam now has more than 18 million Internet users. Just eight years ago, Vietnam had only 500,000 Internet users. Supposedly, there will be 36 million users by 2010. Meanwhile, Vietnam tourism is also growing at double digit rates. The government aims to receive six million foreign visitors and 26 million domestic visitors by 2010.

More than 200 carriers and 100 airports use Sabre to better market their schedules, sell their products, serve their customers and operate efficiently.

Source: Sabre

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