GDS news: Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, Abacus – August 2011

Product news, releases, projects and more from the global distribution systems during August 2011 – all here, in one easy read.

Most recent updates first…

Friday 5 August 2011:

• Travelport: GDS share gains at Priceline.


• GDS squabbles, how they relate to rail and evolution of the model.


• Travelport first half 2011 results – top-line digest.


• Travelport-connected travel agents get enhanced content from United Airlines. The agreement will be US agents the ability to sell Economy Plus seats through existing desktop and workflow systems.


• GetThere signs two major travel management agency deals in the UK. The Sabre-run trip management service has struck partnerships with Portman Travel and Grosvenor Travel. The Portman deal is an extension to its existing agreement, while Grosvenor is a brand new customer.


• Amadeus first half 2011 results – top-line digest.

Tuesday 2 August 2011:

• Travelport announces new vice chairman of its board of directors. Douglas Steenland will serve on the board’s compensation, audit and executive committees. Steenland was most recently president and CEO of Northwest Airline and now also serves as senior advisor to the Blackstone Private Equity Group, parent company of Travelport.


• Sabre Travel Network launches merchandising tools with Air New Zealand. Using the Sabre Red system, agents will be able to book a range of ancillary products through the GDS, starting initially with pre-paid bags and eventually extending across the range of product lines on the carrier.


• Sabre’s Lastminute.com gets another new boss, this time Expedia exec Matthew Crummack.


• American Airlines flights to remain on Orbitz into 2012.


• American Airlines and Travelport extend agreement beyond 2011.


• Security issues exposed as Travelport Opinions promotes diets on Twitter.

Previous GDS updates:

• GDS news: Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, Abacus – July 2011


• Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, Abacus briefs – June 2011


• Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, Abacus briefs – May 2011


• Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, Abacus briefs – April 2011


• Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, Abacus briefs – March 2011


• Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, Abacus briefs – February 2011


• Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, Abacus briefs – January 2011


• Travelport, Amadeus, Sabre, Abacus briefs – December 2010


• GDS Bitesize – January 2010 to November 2010