ASTA Has ‘Significant Concern’ Over Turkish Airlines Dropping Sabre

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is calling out the new distribution strategy from Turkish Airlines that drops Sabre, the largest GDS in the U.S.

Turkish dropped its content from Sabre on Sept. 1 after the two were not able to agree on a new distribution agreement. Sabre had maintained that it was open to working with Turkish Airlines, but the two could not reach a deal.

ASTA said this week that dropping Sabre, “an indispensable platform that countless U.S. travel agencies rely on,” plus the lack of clarity about its future plans in the U.S., creates an uncertain environment for its members.

It also wants answers on whether or not Turkish fares that are currently available directly will also be accessible on its GDS channels.

“ASTA strongly urges Turkish Airlines to provide greater transparency to the U.S. travel agency distribution channel regarding its discussions with all GDS providers, especially Sabre. This transparency is essential for travel advisors to maintain the high standard of service they deliver to the U.S. traveling public,” it said this week.