Air India
has implemented Abacus SalesManager Marketing Messages, an airline solution
specially designed to streamline communication between airlines and travel
agents.

Air India is implementing this in six markets across the Asia
Pacific.

In the initial phase that began on 5 November 2003, Air India will
offer this product in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and
Thailand. This will allow travel agencies in these markets to have direct
access to the airline for booking travel for their customers.

Designed specially for airlines, Abacus Sales Manager Marketing
Messages provides them and their affiliate hotel companies, car rental
companies and other travel suppliers with the ability to communicate
directly with travel agencies during the booking process. The direct and
timely communication channel enables travel agents to help customers make
the most cost-effective and intelligent travel purchase decisions in
addition to helping boost the airlines’ bookings at the same time.

“By using Abacus SalesManager Marketing Messages, we hope to market
customised routes and tickets when a travel agent checks for flight
availability. By doing so, we are able to influence the decision of the
traveller at the time of shopping by highlighting specific promotional
routes or fares. Abacus SalesManager will also be useful in selling
distressed inventory,” said Mrs. D. H. Khusrokhan, Deputy Commercial
Director, Marketing, Air India.

“The intuitive programming function of Abacus SalesManager provide
airlines with a competitive edge over other players in the market. With this
powerful tool, airlines’ marketing efforts are more targeted compared to
email, fax or print media as they can customise their marketing messages
according to a range of criteria. At the same time, we developed this tool
to empower the travel agent to fulfil their customers’ needs faster and
better,” said Mr. Rogelio Sarreal, Vice President and Head of Associate
Sales at Abacus International Pte Ltd.
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