Sabre Takes Control of Asia-Pacific-Based Abacus

China Airlines owned a star in Abacus

Travel technology company Sabre announced it had acquired and taken control of Abacus International, a major global distribution system in the Asia Pacific region.  Sabre had previously owned 35% of the company.  Abacus was founded by six airlines – ANA, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Malaysian, Royal Brunei, and Singapore – and was owned by 11 Asian airlines at the time of the sale.

Sabre acquired the remaining 65% of the company for $411 million in cash.

“The addition of Abacus further strengthens Sabre’s leading position in the fastgrowing Asia Pacific region,” said Sabre CEO Tom Klein in a statement.

Sabre plans to combine its technology platform with Abacus’ existing relationships and expertise in the region.  Abacus serves more than 100,000 travel agents in Asia Pacific and has what Sabre termed “uniquely local relationships” with airlines and hotels there.

The deal also includes new long-term distribution agreements between Sabre and the 11 airlines that had had a stake in Abacus.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)