Sabre has announced that it has terminated its distribution agreement with Aeroflot, the largest government-majority owned airline in Russia. It said it was taking immediate steps to remove Aeroflot flight content from its GDS.
“Sabre has been monitoring the evolving situation in Ukraine with increasing concern. From the beginning, our primary focus has been the safety of our team members in the impacted region, as well as doing our part to support the much-needed relief efforts,” said Sean Menke, CEO of Sabre. “We are taking a stand against this military conflict. We are complying and will continue to comply with sanctions imposed against Russia.”
To help support humanitarian programmes in the region, Sabre, which has approximately 1 500 team members in Poland, has donated US$1m (R15,4m) to the Polish Red Cross, a 100-year-old charity that does exemplary work in conflict zones and supporting displaced people. The funds donated by Sabre will be used by the Polish Red Cross to purchase food, hygiene products and sleeping bags, and will support the provision of medical assistance to those seeking shelter in Poland.
Other major Western GDSs, Amadeus and Travelport are reported to have followed suit. An Amadeus spokesperson said in the light of the attacks on Ukraine it has stopped new planned commercial projects in Russia. It also confirmed it was suspending the distribution of Aeroflot fares in its systems.
A Travelport has told press the company too has taken the decision to immediately suspend Aeroflot sales from its platform.
