Sabre India recently marked a milestone, celebrating 20 years of transformative operations at its state-of-the-art facility – Sabre GCC – in the International Tech Park, Whitefield in Bengaluru. The event showcased Sabre’s commitment to driving innovation in the global travel ecosystem, especially through its tailored solutions for both low-cost and full-service airlines.
Sandeep Bhasin, Vice President of Software Engineering at Sabre India, highlighted a seismic shift in the airline industry’s approach to technology. “Historically, airlines were seen as suppliers of inventory. Today, they want to be retailers, offering personalized, rich content. Sabre is at the forefront of this transformation, helping airlines distribute their content in modern, engaging ways,” he said.
Sabre’s product suite includes Radixx, designed for low-cost carriers like SpiceJet and IndiGo, and SabreSonic, which caters to full-service carriers. These solutions empower airlines to deliver personalized offers and enhance operational efficiency, meeting the distinct needs of diverse business models.
The SabreMosaic platform, the company says, is a game-changer, enabling modular offer-order capabilities that revolutionize airline retailing. The platform integrates dynamic pricing solutions such as Air Price IQ and Ancillary IQ, leveraging artificial intelligence to tailor offers that maximize traveler engagement and airline revenue.
Why Two Separate Sabre Products for Low Cost and Full Fledged Airlines
Bhasin stated that the needs of a low-cost carrier and a full-service carrier are vastly different. “For instance, low-cost carriers don’t typically engage in extensive code-sharing or other complex business arrangements, whereas full-service carriers often do. This makes their business requirements inherently distinct. A one-size-fits-all solution wouldn’t work in such cases. That’s why we’ve developed two different solutions, each tailored to address the specific needs of these market segments. Additionally, the scale of operations varies significantly. For example, low-cost carriers may operate fewer planes and serve fewer markets compared to full-service carriers. Therefore, the solutions need to cater to these differences, offering distinct cost structures and scalability options. Full-service carriers, for example, traditionally distribute their content through legacy systems like GDS (Global Distribution Systems), where fares are published and picked up by distribution channels. In contrast, low-cost carriers focus more on direct distribution, making their content available through aggregators and OTAs (Online Travel Agencies),” added Bhasin.
He also stated: “This divergence in operational models highlights the need for specialized solutions. With Mosaic, we’re creating a unified foundational solution that incorporates modularity, enabling us to cater to the unique requirements of both low-cost and full-service carriers. These modules ensure scalability and adaptability, whether for the streamlined operations of a low-cost carrier or the expansive needs of a full-service carrier. An additional challenge we’ve addressed is the future growth aspirations of low-cost carriers. Many aspire to expand their operations and evolve over time. SabreMosaic provides a flexible, scalable system designed to grow with the airline, eliminating the need for system replacements every 5-10 years. This ensures a seamless transition as carriers scale up their operations.”
Driving Innovation with AI and Collaboration
Sabre’s innovations are powered by its partnership with Google, utilizing Google’s AI platform to develop solutions like Ancillary IQ, which creates dynamic bundles tailored to traveler preferences. These solutions ensure that travelers receive relevant offers, combining airfares, ancillary services, and third-party products at competitive prices.
“Our leadership in offer optimization, driven by AI and machine learning, ensures airlines can capture customers with precise pricing strategies that align with their needs,” Bhasin noted. Sabre’s influence extends beyond airlines to other sectors of travel, including hospitality, rail, and tours. Its SynXis system and ConfermaPay platform exemplify Sabre’s versatility in booking and payments, providing seamless solutions across the travel ecosystem. With over 100 airlines, including recent partnerships with Air India Express, utilizing its network planning and optimization suite, Sabre continues to lead the industry in providing innovative, market-leading solutions, added Bhasin.
