Alitalia to sell ancillaries through Sabre

Sabre Travel Network has signed a deal with Alitalia to sell its ancillary products to agents using the Sabre global distribution system (GDS).

In addition to shopping and booking Alitalia airfares, agents can now shop and book ancillary services such as pre-paid baggage and access to airport lounges as part of the reservation process – a first for agents in Europe.

The products will be immediately available to agents in Italy, with the UK, Spain, Belgium and other European markets to follow.

Aldo Ponticelli, Alitalia’s vice president for distribution, said: “Increasing revenue through the sale of ancillary products and services is a major part of our business plan, which is based on a distribution of Alitalia’ services through direct and indirect channels.

“Sabre and Alitalia have been able to implement with timeliness this effective way to sell ancillaries in the indirect channel that will allow us to reach, satisfy and retain the broadest range of our market.”

Alitalia said it would expand the ancillary services its sells through Sabre and add additional points of sale over the coming months.

Harald Eisenaecher, Sabre’s senior vice president in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “This is a major step forward in the evolution of airline product sales and distribution in the European market.”