Sabre to Distribute Air India Content Once Again

Air India content will return to Sabre’s global distribution system next month after a more than three-year absence per a new multiyear agreement between the carrier and the travel technology company.

Sabre projects Air India content will be available in the Sabre marketplace as of May 4, and Air India also will work with the Sabre consultancy team to help it determine optimal routes for its fleet. That will include “an in-depth market evaluation, the development of new hub and schedule structural designs, and detailed planning of route network and capacity over a 10-year horizon, as well as the optimization of fleet assignment across its system,” according to Sabre.

Air India pulled its content from Sabre in early 2020 after “extensive negotiations” failed to result in an agreement, Sabre said at the time. Air India had been distributing through Sabre for the prior 20 years. In the time since then, Air India has completed a privatization process to ownership by India’s Tata Group, which has a five-year transformation plan for the carrier. The carrier recently placed an order for 470 aircraft as part of plans for “substantial” fleet and network expansion.

“We’re delighted to have re-established, and enhanced, our relationship with Sabre at this transformative time for Air India and the wider Indian travel marketplace,” Air India chief commercial and transformation officer Nipun Aggarwal said in a statement. “This long-term global distribution partnership will support our ambitious growth plans while paving the ground for our transition towards a more dynamic, merchandising-focused model, designed to unlock the value of Air India’s products and services.”

Michael B. Baker www.businesstravelnews.com