MANAMA - Gulf Air and Sabre Holdings (Sabre), have announced the extension of their joint venture partnership in Sabre Travel Network Middle-East (STNME) to provide technology services for travel agents.

STNME was established as a joint venture between Gulf Air and Sabre in 2005 following a 30-year partnership, operating in 23 offices across 13 Middle East and North African region. The Bahrain based joint venture distributes Sabre Travel Network's products and services to travel agencies across eleven countries in the region. 

Daniel Naoumovitch, ciefe executive officer, STNME, said: “Gulf Air is one of our major airline affiliates in the region, and our renewed partnership reaffirms our commitment to the industry and our valued customers. 

“We have evolved our partnership over the years, growing from our home in Bahrain to the entire MENA region, and increasing our investment each year to serve the needs of the growing industry.”   

Maher Salman Al Musallam, Gulf Air acting chief executive officer, added: “Gulf Air’s partnership with Sabre Travel Network Middle-East has seen strong marketplace growth and is a true reflection of the strength of this collaboration between a pioneering national carrier and a global travel technology giant.

“We are delighted with our joint successes to date and anticipate more in the future as Gulf Air continues on track to becoming one of the top performing airlines in the region.”

Jassim Haji, director of information technology division at Gulf Air commented: “Sabre Travel Network Middle-East provides the entire region’s travel trade industry with unparalleled access to world-class products and services, facilitating bookings and producing cost savings. 

“The renewal of our agreement reaffirms Gulf Air’s intention to remain consistently at the forefront of all industry technologies – delivering solutions that make travel even more convenient.”