Sabre inks $411 million deal to acquire Asian GDS Abacus International

Sabre inks $411 million deal to acquire Asian GDS Abacus International

Abacus International, the leading global distribution system in the Asia-Pacific region, is being taken over by Sabre for $411 million.

Abacus International, the leading global distribution system in the Asia-Pacific region, is being taken over by Sabre for $411 million.

The US company is acquiring the remaining majority stake in Abacus that it does not own.

Abacus is currently owned by a consortium of 11 Asian airlines along with Sabre, which has a 35% stake.

The deal also includes new long-term distribution agreements between Sabre and the 11 airline owners of Abacus.

The take over is expected to be completed in the third quarter of the year, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions.

Abacus serves more than 100,000 travel agents across the Asia-Pacific region’s 59 markets. Its agreements with airlines and hotels, include a portfolio of low-cost and Chinese airline content.

Tom Klein, president and chief executive of Sabre, said: “The Asia-Pacific travel market is the largest and fastest growing in the world.

“Acquiring Abacus immediately combines the global capabilities of Sabre with the deep local market expertise of the leading Asia-Pacific GDS.

“This powerful combination will give customers even more innovation and service options, while allowing Sabre to accelerate growth globally in a very capital efficient way – and to gain regional synergies in all three of our businesses serving travel agents, airlines and hospitality companies.

“Sabre and Abacus have established the gold standard for service and content in the Asia-Pacific region, and that only gets better.

“Together with Abacus, Sabre will provide customers and suppliers with improved and faster access to Sabre’s industry-leading innovations, including low-cost carrier content, ancillary capabilities, data analytics, and the latest in mobile solutions and personalization services.

“Additionally, airlines and travel agencies will have more options for new and differentiated products and services created specifically for customers in the Asia-Pacific market.”

Robert Bailey, president and chief executive of Abacus, said: “With our extended network in Asia-Pacific, Abacus has built a trusted brand of unique significance and scale.

“We now have the opportunity to take the business forward even faster, broadening the scope within the Sabre family and with the support of our shareholder carriers.”

He added: “This is great news for the industry in Asia-Pacific, and we look forward to passing the benefits of integration to all sectors of this region’s diverse travel community.”

Greg Webb, president of Sabre Travel Network, said: “We look forward to continuing our long-term business relationships with our former partners in Abacus, and our new agreements will provide benefits and confidence to travel agents throughout the Asia-Pacific region for many years to come.

“Abacus currently provides a broad set of services to its customers using a base of Sabre technology for the large majority of core functions to market, distribute, sell and service travel in the Asia-Pacific region.

“That, along with deep local market capabilities, will result in a smooth transition for Asia-Pacific customers, who should see the benefits of global capabilities while continuing to use our familiar, leading technology.”

Abacus will operate as a region of Sabre Travel Network, and Sabre expects its expanded Asia-Pacific direct presence will benefit Sabre Airline Solutions and Sabre Hospitality Solutions.