Etihad extends Sabre deal to benefit airberlin

Etihad Airways said on Thursday it will offer partner airline, airberlin, a range of benefits from its own billion dollar deal with travel technology provider Sabre Airline Solutions. Under the agreement signed between Etihad Airways and Sabre in December 2011, Etihad Airways gains access to cutting edge, integrated software across its reservations, inventory, marketing, planning, eCommerce, distribution and departure control operations. This will significantly reduce the airline’s technology costs, streamline its operations, increase revenues, and accelerate its growth around the world. As part of its strategic equity partnership with airberlin, Etihad Airways will offer access to a range of these benefits, as part of its strategy to identify synergies that could benefit both airlines. Etihad Airways president and chief executive officer James Hogan said: “Since we announced our equity partnership with airberlin in December 2011, we have been actively looking for ways the two airlines can work together, and also for benefits each airline already has, which could be extended to the other airline. “The deal between Etihad Airways and Sabre is a terrific opportunity for airberlin, and will support their drive for growth.” Chief executive officer of airberlin, Hartmut Mehdorn, said: “airberlin benefits from the negotiations between Etihad Airways and Sabre. This is further evidence of the wide range of opportunities for enhancing the synergies and optimising cost efficiency within the partnership between airberlin and Etihad Airways.” Sam Gilliland, chief executive office of Sabre Holdings said: “Our primary goal is to provide our airline partners with flexible technology that helps reduce costs and increase revenue and profits. Through Etihad Airways, airberlin will be able to leverage our Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, and reap some of the benefits Etihad Airways enjoy. We welcome the opportunity to work more closely with airberlin and other potential Etihad airline partners.” Meanwhile Etihad also announced on Thursday an exclusive partnership with Abu Dhabi Organics Farms, the first internationally certified organic farming initiative in the UAE, to supply fresh organic produce for its inflight First Class dining menus. The airline will be sourcing fresh organic produce daily from the expansive farm.