Business travel is expected to be “healthy” over the coming months, according to Kurt Ekert, CEO of Sabre, speaking on a second quarter earnings call. However, the company estimates only 1 to 2 points of volume growth in that segment in upcoming quarters.

Sabre’s distribution revenue increased 23% year over year in the second quarter to $530 million, due to not only the increase in bookings but also “a favorable shift” in booking mix, according to Sabre. The average booking fee was up 10 percent year over year to $5.87.

Sabre has doubled the number of airlines distributing New Distribution Capability (NDC) content through the Sabre marketplace over the first six months of 2023, according to Ekert, including the addition of United Airlines and Aeromexico.

Sabre’s Hospitality Solutions revenue increased 16% year over year to $77 million in the second quarter. The increase was driven by an 8% increase in central reservation system transactions as well as a higher rate per transaction, according to the company.

Ekert also noted recent commercial wins, including an agreement with Hyatt to transition to Sabre’s central reservation system; distribution agreements with Air Canada and other airlines; and a new long-term agreement with Internova Travel Group, the travel agency network.

Commenting on the outlook for NDC, Ekert said the Sabre marketplace is a highly efficient place to buy and sell travel content, incorporating NDC offers alongside other content sources. He said the company sees NDC and GDS content as “complementary,” with NDC “expanding the breadth of product available in Sabre’s multisource content platform and enhancing our value proposition to both buyers and sellers.”

Sabre reported a net loss of $129 million in the second quarter, an improvement over a $193 million net loss in the second quarter of 2022. A $59 million restructuring charge related to the workforce reduction contributed to the loss. Previously, Sabre expected 2023 revenue of 2.8 billion and $3 billion. Now, it expects full year revenue of $2.9 billion to $3 billion.