China Eastern Airlines is signing a four-month contract with Sabre Airlines Solutions to implement best practice network planning and flight scheduling for the carrier.

“With this engagement, China Eastern Airlines will maximize its current network and schedule profitability, increase its aircraft utilization and be in prime position to take full advantage of future market growth and opportunities,” said Zhen-Ming Hu, general manager, Airline Planning and International Affairs Department. “As we approach the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2010 Shanghai World Expo, it is critical that we invest in world-class services to maximize our global opportunities.”

Headquartered in the world’s fastest growing market, Shanghai gives China Eastern Airlines the geographical advantage to serve China from South Asia, South East Asia, Hong Kong SAR Macau and the Pacific region.

“We have been working with China Eastern Airlines in a number of areas ranging from airline operations to sales, marketing and now planning and scheduling. Our approach, centered around transfer of knowledge to the airline, is very attractive to rapidly evolving carriers such as China Eastern Airlines,” said Nejib Ben-Khedher, president of the consulting practice within Sabre Airline Solutions. “We have doubled our consulting activities in China in 2005 versus 2004 and expect to post a similar growth this year. Our hands-on approach delivered by a mix of local and global experts is positioning us as a partner to the Chinese carriers.”

As a preferred long-term partner of Sabre Airline Solutions, China Eastern Airlines has already implemented Sabre Movement Manager, Sabre Load Manager, Sabre Dispatch Manager and Sabre AirFlite Schedule Manager. In the past, China Eastern Airlines has also invested in the consulting expertise of Sabre Airline Solutions professionals.
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