Robust, agile and advanced: Pacific Airlines’ new tech partnership

Pacific Airlines has announced a new partnership with American travel tech firm Sabre today.

Under the new agreement, which sees Sabre extend its reach within the Vietnamese aviation market, Pacific Airlines will adopt the Sabre Passenger Service System (PSS) as it moves forward with ambitious plans to play a key role, along with national carrier parent company Vietnam Airlines Group, in the recovery and future growth of APAC’s travel and tourism industry post COVID-19.

Vietnam Airlines has been a Sabre PSS user for more than a decade and, with this new agreement, both airlines will benefit from a single, integrated passenger platform to enable improved operational efficiencies and a frictionless experience for travellers, as Pacific Airlines prepares to resume regular scheduled services with Sabre’s PSS. Combined teams expect to complete the transition quickly from the legacy third party system to the Sabre PSS.

“Robust, agile and advanced”

“Vietnam Airlines Group is delighted to build on our existing agreement with Sabre, our trusted and long-term technology partner,” said Trinh Hong Quang, Vietnam Airlines Executive Vice President and Pacific Airlines Chairman. “It is especially important right now to have the most robust, agile and advanced technology solutions possible to propel our business into the future. While everyone in the travel industry is experiencing an unprecedented situation, we are very much focused on moving forward with our PSS Transformation program to place us in the best position for recovery, growth and future expansion.” 

This latest agreement follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Sabre and Vietnam Airlines Group, which was signed last year by Dave Shirk, president of travel solutions and Duong Tri Thanh, Vietnam Airlines president & CEO, at a high-profile signing ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi; attended by US President Donald Trump and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong. 

 “The MOU signing was one of many proud moments in the shared history of Vietnam Airlines and Sabre,” said Quang. “As the national flag carrier of Vietnam, we have also been very proud to be part of recent repatriation efforts to help passengers return to their homeland. Now, moving forward, we are excited to be leveraging Sabre’s agile technology to play an important part in the recovery of Vietnam’s tourism industry, which is already showing strong signs of resilience.” 

“We’re thrilled to be able to further expand our already valued and historic relationship with Vietnam Airlines,” said Dave Shirk, president of travel solutions atSabre. “Vietnam has made great progress in recovery from the pandemic and Vietnam Airlines is at the forefront of this recovery. This new agreement is of strategic importance to both Sabre and Pacific Airlines as we move forward together to come through Covid-19 and beyond in a position of strength. Sabre has already clearly set out initiatives to accelerate growth in our own business and that of our partners, including unlocking LCC market potential by supporting fast-growing low-cost carriers such as Pacific Airlines. Today’s announcement demonstrates the forward-looking approach of Sabre, Pacific Airlines and Vietnam Airlines Group and our deep commitment to supporting the aviation industry in Vietnam and the wider APAC region. We’re very excited that Pacific Airlines will take to the skies once more, under the Sabre PSS.”