Turkish Airlines fares will once again be available on Sabre after nearly 10 months of negotiations, according to LinkedIn posts from sales managers for both companies.
That means travel agents who use the Sabre global distribution system no longer have to look elsewhere to purchase Turkish Airlines flights on behalf of clients, resolving a major headache.
Turkish Airlines had removed its flights from the Sabre platform last September and travel agents were forced to book through competitors Amadeus and Travelport.
The removal and lack of communication had received strong pushback from the industry. The American Society of Travel Advisors published a statement last November criticizing the airline for the move and a “lack of clarity” about its plans. ASTA said that U.S. travel sellers use Sabre more than any other platform of its type.
ASTA commended the reinstated partnership in a statement on Monday.
Mark Meader, executive vice president of ASTA Corporate, said in the statement: “This development is a welcome outcome for the U.S. travel agency community, which relies heavily on Sabre to access comprehensive, competitive flight options for their clients. ASTA appreciates both parties’ efforts to restore this vital connection and encourages continued transparency and collaboration to support the travel advisor channel and the travelers it serves.”
A Push for Direct Bookings
Turkish Airlines pulled its fares ahead of the launch of its TKConnect platform last October, where travel sellers can book flights directly with the airline.
In a push for more direct bookings, the airline began imposing a surcharge of $24 per ticket for flights booked through distribution companies. Bookings through TKConnect have no fees.
The distribution systems that Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport provide have been the backbone of airline bookings for decades, but the industry is exploring other options. For airlines, they’re often looking to circumvent the growing fees that come with working through an intermediary.
The industry is taking some steps to move toward a more modern airfare shopping experience, which is what TKConnect aims to provide. Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport have been pushing their own versions of this tech. The latest agreement between Turkish Airlines and Sabre includes an integration into Sabre’s modern distribution platform, according to the LinkedIn posts.
American Airlines had been transitioning to a similar strategy focused on direct bookings and modern retail until it backtracked for what the CEO said was poor execution. American Airlines is still behind on revenue goals because of that attempt, though the company says it’s on track to fully recover by the end of the year.
Sabre confirmed the agreement but did not provide additional details. Turkish Airlines did not respond to a request for comment.
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