Both Sabre and Amadeus have dropped Aeroflot. The travel technology companies say they have terminated their distribution agreements with the airline – the largest government-majority owned carrier in Russia – over the country’s unprovoked and continuing invasion of Ukraine.
Sabre said it is taking immediate steps to remove Aeroflot flight content from its global distribution system (GDS).
“Sabre has been monitoring the evolving situation in Ukraine with increasing concern. From the beginning, our primary focus has been the safety of our team members in the impacted region, as well as doing our part to support the much-needed relief efforts,” said Sean Menke, CEO of Sabre. “We are taking a stand against this military conflict. We are complying, and will continue to comply, with sanctions imposed against Russia.”
The company notes that it will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and will evaluate whether additional actions would be appropriate, taking into account legal considerations and any counter measures that could be implemented in response.
It further announced that it had donated $1 million to the Polish Red Cross to help Ukrainian refugees seeking shelter in Poland.
Amadeus offered a similar sentiment; in a statement, the company said: “In light of the attacks on Ukraine we immediately stopped any new planned commercial projects in Russia. We will not sign any new contracts in Russia, and we continue to evaluate our existing portfolio of work in Russia in parallel.
“We can confirm that we have begun suspending the distribution of Aeroflot fares in our systems. At the same time, we continue to assess and evaluate the potential impact of international sanctions imposed on Russia and any counter-measures by Russia.”
Toronto-based G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip was quick to applaud the move by Sabre.
“The power to have the most dramatic impact in travel right now lies in the hands of one company, and they stepped up and did the right thing. That company is Sabre… Without Sabre, Aeroflot is unable to issue tickets, which will cause mass disruption for domestic travel in Russia,” he said.
“Russia has a thriving domestic travel market, serving leisure and corporate travellers and carrying people to do business as well as on vacation. Having already been cut off from the world of international travel, it is at home that the Russian people will feel the most pressure and become increasingly frustrated with this regime.”
He continued: “This maneuver from Sabre is vital, as we need everyday people to rise up and fight for their everyday freedoms. Without Sabre, internal travel becomes extremely difficult, and this is an incredible example of the leadership our industry needs to apply essential pressure internally.”
The Russian government needs to know that every industry, including travel and tourism, stands against its actions and will support any and all sanctions that seek to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty, freedom and independence.”