Etihad eyes $5m savings in software upgrade

Etihad Airways has said it expects to save $5m a year after rolling out new Sabre software, following a billion dollar technology agreement signed by the two companies last year. The implementation of Sabre's catering software kicks-off the largest technology project in the airline's history, the airline said in a statement. The carrier is migrating all business operations to the new software, including rolling out Sabre's passenger reservations software. Lee Shave, Etihad Airways' vice president for Guest Experience, predicted savings of $5m per year as a result. He said: "This new catering software allows us to better manage, audit and analyse important processes such as meal forecasting and the procurement of equipment and resources. "The enhanced control means we should make savings in excess of $5m per annum, while continuing to provide a world-class and award-winning guest experience onboard." Maher Koubaa, Sabre Airline Solutions' vice president in the Middle East and Africa, added: "We have a significant partnership with Etihad Airways and it's great to see the project start. "Every year we invest hundreds of millions of dollars in technology to help airlines like Etihad enhance their operations, improve customer service and ultimately drive more revenue, and we will be working with them closely over the coming years to help them grow." Using the software, the airline can more accurately cater for in-flight meals, special requests, and monitor quality control. Etihad also expects savings by reducing meal wastage through improved forecasting, and by better auditing of caterer invoices. From/arabianbusiness