Turkish Airlines has terminated its distribution agreement with Sabre Airline Solutions effective September 1, 2024, to promote direct bookings via its upcoming TKConnect platform.
Sabre acknowledged the end of the agreement, stating that mutual and commercially reasonable terms could not be reached with Turkish Airlines despite their efforts.
Turkish Airlines accused Sabre of failing to reciprocate in negotiations to continue the partnership on similar terms as with other distribution platforms.
The TKConnect platform, expected to launch in October, will have no distribution fees, provide additional functionalities, and introduce a new booking fee for traditional GDSs while removing some fares from their channels.
A written press release said Turkish Airlines has enhanced its NDC (New Distribution Capability) compliant TKConnect programme by partnering with key content aggregators, including Travelfusion, Verteil, DRCT, Mystifly, Nuua, Nuflights, and Theta, to improve passenger travel experiences.
The partnerships aim to provide travel agents with advanced tools for creating customized itineraries, offering exclusive deals, and streamlining the booking process, which is expected to boost customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Ahmet Olmuştur, Turkish Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the significance of collaborating with these aggregators, emphasizing their proven expertise in distribution solutions to expand the TKConnect programme’s reach and effectiveness.
This initiative is part of Turkish Airlines’ commitment to leveraging NDC technology to create a more connected and efficient travel ecosystem, ultimately enhancing service quality for its customers.
