Air China Deploys Sabre Airline Solutions' Technology to Enhance its

    Business Editors/Technology Editors/Travel Editors

    SOUTHLAKE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2005--Air China has selected Sabre Airline Solutions' advanced planning and scheduling suite to optimize its flight scheduling operations.
    The planning and scheduling optimization will be achieved through the implementation by Air China of the Sabre AirFlite suite. This suite provides advanced planning and scheduling technology that combines core functions such as scheduling, profitability forecasting and analysis, fleet assignment, and slot management through a seamless integration with shared interfaces and database information.
    The airline also will employ consulting services from Sabre Airline Solutions to assist with product implementation and network planning, providing a total solution that will help Air China rapidly realize the benefits of the AirFlite suite.
    "Modeling passenger demand and market behavior within the Chinese aviation market has typically been a challenge in the past, but Sabre Airline Solutions has demonstrated its knowledge and experience in this area," said Jian Xiong Huang, deputy general manager of Information Technology for Air China. "We are confident the AirFlite suite will enable us to better forecast and enhance our decision-making abilities. Sabre Airline Solutions is also able to offer us an end-to-end approach, incorporating the AirFlite suite and best practice industry consulting."
    Air China, a long-time customer of Sabre Airline Solutions, joins more than 70 airlines worldwide that utilize the AirFlite suite, including China Southern, China Eastern and Hainan Airlines.
    "We have used the Sabre PC AirFlite flight scheduling system for many years, and this new project involving the AirFlite suite combined with the expertise of Sabre Airline Solutions' consulting group will greatly improve our operational efficiency while also strengthening our ongoing relationship with Sabre Airline Solutions," said Huang. "Our size and growth means that we simply have to automate the process of network optimization and network profitability analysis. Because the marketplace is constantly changing, we need to be able to make quick and accurate decisions about our network and fleet every single day, and Sabre Airline Solutions is best placed to ensure we achieve this."
    Hans Belle, Sabre Airline Solutions' vice president of Marketing in the Asia/Pacific region said, "Asia is an important region for many airlines, and the Chinese market is a key driver for growth in that region. We are able to add superior value in Asia because we have significant experience there, which has translated into improvements in our products and consulting capability. We understand the available data sources in China and realize how to build solid demand forecasts. Overcoming this hurdle enables us to assist airlines including Air China in optimizing passenger and cargo services for Asia and China in particular."
    Sabre Airline Solutions is the Asia Pacific market leader in aviation technology. The company has experienced rapid growth in China and is working with the major airlines including Air China, China Eastern and China Southern. In 2004 Sabre Airline Solutions established its Asia Pacific headquarters in Shanghai as part of its move to advance the company's strategic business agenda in the world's fastest growing market.

    About Sabre Airline Solutions

    Sabre Airline Solutions, a Sabre Holdings company, is the world's largest provider of software products; reservations, departure control systems and other passenger management systems; and consulting services that help airlines simplify operations and lower costs. Sabre Airline Solutions' proven leadership is demonstrated by the growing number of airlines that leverage the technology and services: More than 200 airlines worldwide use Sabre Airline Solutions' broad portfolio of smart solutions for decision-support tools to increase revenues and improve operations. More than 500 contracts worldwide were signed in 2004 for Sabre Airline Solutions leading technology solutions. More than 100 airlines worldwide rely on Sabre Airline Solutions for passenger management solutions, with eight new carriers choosing SabreSonic, the first new generation reservations system offered in the market, in 2004 and six carrier renewals. In addition, more than 100 clients worldwide have turned to the Sabre Airline Solutions consulting group for strategic, commercial and operational consulting.
    Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG) is a world leader in travel commerce, retailing travel products and providing distribution and technology solutions for the travel industry. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com.
    Sabre Airline Solutions, the Sabre Airline Solutions logo, SabreSonic and AirFlite are trademarks and/or service marks of an affiliate of Sabre Holdings Corp. All other trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners. (C) 2005 Sabre Inc. All rights reserved.

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KEYWORD: TEXAS CHINA INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE AIRLINES TRANSPORTATION SOFTWARE NETWORKING PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Sabre Airline Solutions

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