Sabre Searches for Deal as the Air France-KLM Distribution Surcharge Looms

On the cusp of Air France-KLM imposing a surcharge on global distribution system bookings for its flights, Sabre is still searching for a way to avoid the surcharge while its rivals have already struck a deal.

As Skift reported in November, the ramifications of this surcharge will likely have a bigger impact on the travel ecosystem than previous moves from Lufthansa and British Airways; Amadeus executives said nearly 20 percent of the flights placed through their system could have a surcharge attached, potentially pushing travel agents to book on airline websites instead.

Airlines are trying to spur bookings through their own websites and channels because bookings that travel agents and corporations make through third-party global distribution systems cost the airline in higher fees.

Global distribution system providers Amadeus and Travelport have cut a deal with the airline group to avoid the surcharge, and on the travel management company side, BCD Travel has reached an agreement, as well. Amadeus said the deal also includes "a transitional agreement towards the integration by Amadeus of Air France-KLM’s API based on the IATA New Distribution Capability. It sets the framework for a sustainable, long-term solution that suits Amadeus customers for NDC-enabled distribution."

UPDATE: Expedia Group announced on April 4 that it has reached a deal to avoid the surcharge.

Sabre, though, remains in negotiations for now.

An email sent to Sabre agents provided to Skift shows that it is unlikely to reach a deal before the surcharge goes into effect on Sunday.

"At this time, we want to reassure you that our negotiations with the AF/KL group continue, with the objective to reach a new distribution agreement that provides mutual benefit and value to all constituents in the distribution landscape," reads the email sent to Sabre's travel agency and corporate clients. "Based on the information received from the AF/KL group, their surcharge will be reflected as a YQ surcharge filed with ATPCO. The AF/KL YQ surcharge will not require any changes to your current Sabre booking workflows. Moving forward, we will send you further updates should a new distribution agreement be reached.

"Please be assured that it is our number one priority to develop new technology standards and capabilities, such as NDC, as we believe these will ultimately bring unique opportunities for end-to-end airline retailing and distribution models that benefit all parties in the travel ecosystem."

Sabre said it is trying to work it out with Air France-KLM.

"We are aware of the importance in reaching a timely agreement with Air France-KLM and are working to define terms that will work for all parties," wrote a Sabre spokesman. "We continue to reassure our agency customers that reaching an agreement with the airline group is a top priority. Our goal would be to offer access to competitive Air France-KLM content through the Sabre GDS and to provide a balanced solution that gives benefit and value for agencies, airlines, and travelers."

It turns out that after years of blowing smoke about the importance of developing more advanced distribution technology, global distribution systems that have taken the initiative could face an easier path forward as more airlines use leverage to encourage direct bookings.