Sabre’s Air Bookings Decline

Sabre Travel Network’s worldwide market share is 36%, according to an amended registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In the filing, Sabre said its “direct billable air bookings” declined over the last two years.
In 2013 they totaled 314 million, down from 326 million in 2012.

That, in turn, was a decline from its 328 million air bookings in 2011.  
 
Expedia shift
Sabre noted that Expedia shifted a significant portion of its business from Travel Network to a competitor GDS in late 2012, resulting in a year-over-year decline in transaction volumes and revenue in 2013.

However, the decrease in bookings in 2013 was offset by a 3% increase in the average booking fee, Sabre said.

Sabre Travel Network’s revenue increased $26 million, or 1%, for the year, “driven by a $25 million increase in other revenue primarily from payments in connection with certain services provided to our joint ventures.”

Transaction-based revenue was flat at $1.59 billion for the year.

Increased bookings
Both Amadeus and Travelport reported increases in bookings for 2013.

Amadeus pegged its GDS market share at the end of the year at 40%.

Sabre’s Airline Solutions business, which provides passengers services systems and other technology to airlines, experienced a $36 million increase in SabreSonic CSS revenue in 2012, due primarily to an increase of 41 million, or 11%, in passengers boarded, to 405 million.

Sabre is the number two provider of passenger services systems in the world. Amadeus, which operates the Amadeus Altéa Suite, is number one.