IAG agrees to new long-term distribution agreement with Sabre

SOUTHLAKE, Texas, July 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a global technology provider to the travel and tourism industry, has agreed a new multi-year distribution agreement with International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world's largest airline groups, incorporating British Airways Iberia, Iberia Express and Vueling. 

Under the newly expanded agreement, British Airways, Iberia and Iberia Express will market and sell their airfares and ancillaries through Sabre's global travel marketplace.  The agreement also includes European premium low-cost carrier, Vueling, which joins Sabre's marketplace for the first time.

For travel agencies, the agreement provides the same, continued access to British Airways, Iberia and Iberia Express' fares, availability, schedules, and ancillary services such as bags and seats.  In addition, agents will now be able to shop and book Vueling fares. "IAG is an important partner for Sabre and we are pleased to strengthen our already long and successful relationship with the introduction of Vueling to Sabre," said Greg Webb, president, Sabre Travel Network. "Europe is a key growth region for our company and we will continue to listen to the needs and support the commercial goals of airlines and agencies in this region."

Silvia Cairo, IAG's Head of Commercial Planning and Policy, said: "We are wholly committed to supporting the travel agency channel and we are pleased to have reached a multi-year agreement with Sabre. "We have a long standing relationship with Sabre and look forward to working with Sabre subscribers more closely in the coming years."

Sabre's travel marketplace plays an important role in facilitating the marketing and sale of airfares, hotel rooms, rental cars, rail tickets and other types of travel, to more than 400,000 travel agents and thousands of corporations who use it to shop, book and manage travel. It is one of the world's largest marketplaces, processing over $100 billion in estimated travel spend.

British Airways, Iberia, Iberia Express and Vueling join more than 400 global carriers who participate in Sabre's travel marketplace to market and sell their fares and inventory.

About Sabre
Sabre® is a leading technology provider to the global travel and tourism industry. Sabre's software, data, mobile and distribution solutions are used by hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotel properties to manage critical operations, such as passenger and guest reservations, revenue management, and flight, network and crew management. Sabre also operates a leading global travel marketplace, processing over $100 billion of estimated travel spend in 2013 by connecting travel suppliers to their most valued customers, the business traveler.  Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre operates offices in approximately 60 countries around the world. 

About IAG
International Airlines Group is one of the world's largest airline groups with 431 aircraft flying to 243 destinations and carrying 67.2 million passengers each year. It is the third largest group in Europe and the sixth largest in the world, based on revenue.

Formed in January 2011, IAG is the parent company of British Airways, Iberia and Vueling. It is a Spanish registered company with shares traded on the London Stock Exchange and Spanish Stock Exchanges. The corporate head office for IAG is in London, UK.

IAG combines the leading airlines in the UK and Spain, enabling them to enhance their presence in the aviation market while retaining their individual brands and current operations. The airlines' customers benefit from a larger combined network for both passengers and cargo and a greater ability to invest in new products and services through improved financial robustness.

The airline industry is moving gradually towards consolidation though some regulatory restrictions still prevail. IAG's mission is to play its full role in future industry consolidation both on a regional and global scale.

British Airways and Iberia are members of the oneworld alliance.

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SOURCE Sabre Corporation