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Airline boosts online services
National carrier Vietnam Airlines has signed two multi-million dollar deals with US-based Sabre Airline Solutions to improve its online reservation system and online shopping capabilities.
"VietnamAirlines has looked long and hard for a technology partner with whom we can create a solid relationship so as to continue our growth and help us reach our business objectives, which include becoming one of the region's best airlines. We believe we have found that in Sabre Airline Solutions," said Pham Ngoc Minh, President and CEO of VietnamAirlines.
"The online market is growing rapidly, and the travel and aviation market is also booming. By offering customers new opportunities to buy tickets, we are confident we can help spur market growth," Minh said.
"Sabre Airline Solutions is investing in this important growing market and would like to help the Vietnam aviation industry, particularly Vietnam Airlines, realise its goals," said Tom Klein, group president of Sabre Airline Solutions, and Sabre Travel Network.
For the second agreement with VietnamAirlines, Sabre Airline Solutions has been working with IBM to provide the carrier with a complete Internet Booking Engine (IBE) that will offer airline customers a wide range of services.
"As VietnamAirlines expands its online presence, the IBE will serve as a critical tool for the customer to browse and buy various services," said Marty Salfen, general manager of the Global Travel and Transportation Industry of IBM.
The IBE will give travellers an opportunity to book a variety of ticket options, including multiple connection flights from VietnamAirlines and its codeshare partners.
Travellers can also use the airline's website to access other services such as online booking, payments, meal requests, car and hotel bookings, currency support and seating maps.
Sabre Airline Solutions was inaugurated in 1960 to provide an advanced reservations system and address the full range of airline needs from marketing and sales to service and operations.
According to recent figures by IDG (International Date Group) Ventures, Vietnam now has more than 18 million Internet users, whereas just eight years ago it had only 500,000. IDG Ventures believes there will be 36 million users by 2010.
The country's tourism sector is also growing at double digit rates with the Government expecting to welcome six million foreign visitors and 26 million domestic visitors by 2010.
VNN
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