Etihad Airways signs $1b deal with Sabre

In its second big deal this week Etihad Airways signed a 10-year contract with aviation computer technology provider Sabre Airline Solutions in a deal valued at more than $1 billion, the carrier said yesterday. The move comes shortly after the Abu Dhabi-based carrier on Monday became the biggest shareholder in the beleaguered German carrier airberlin with a nearly 30 per cent stake, thereby securing a stronger foothold in Europe. The technology deal will see Etihad Airways utilising Sabre-created integrated software — due to be implemented by February 2013 — across its reservations, inventory, marketing, planning, eCommerce, distribution and departure control operations. According to Etihad, the software will significantly reduce the airline's technology costs while streamlining processes considerably. Important role "It will be the single largest technology-enabled business change that Etihad Airways will undertake in a decade," Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer James Hogan said in a statement, adding that the deal will play an important role in providing the airline with tools necessary to achieve its next phase of growth and profitability targets in a cost effective manner. Adding to that, Sam Gilliland, Sabre Chairman and CEO, said that the technology provided by Sabre will facilitate Etihad Airways' growth considerably as the carrier grows over the next 10 years to become one of the largest airlines in the world. Also included in the deal is a multi-year, full content distribution agreement to provide Sabre-connected travel agents worldwide with real time access to Etihad Airways' flight and scheduling information, the carrier said, adding it will also be able to access the Sabre global distribution system to market and sell products and services. IT services Sabre Airline Solutions provides IT services to more than 300 airlines and 100 airports with over 300 million passengers a year processed by airlines using its technology. Etihad Airways said it carried more than seven million passengers in 2011.  Two more groups of Emirati graduate managers have commenced training at Etihad Airways headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The 36 Emiratis are the ninth and tenth groups to undertake the 21-month Graduate Management Development Programme (GMDP). This involves a six-month workplace orientation in key Etihad departments, followed by eight months of workplace learning with a specified team. Their last phase involves a business-based project. Successful graduates will attain an internationally recognised and accredited post graduate diploma. James Hogan, Etihad Airways Chief Executive, said: "As the national airline of the UAE, and as part of our support of the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan, we are committed to training and developing a national workforce of skilled and motivated Emiratis. "Our Emiratisation programme continues to expand at an extraordinary pace. Over the next 21 months these two groups of talented young UAE nationals will learn vital information about Etihad and the airline industry." The Graduate Management Programme is designed to train and develop managers who will play a key part in the growth of Etihad Airways and is part of it's highly successful Emiratisation scheme.