Kenya Airways has partnered with Sabre Corporation and Branchspace to replace its core reservations and ticketing system as the airline modernises its digital retailing operations.
The airline announced the partnerships in a statement dated 22 Sep 2026 and identified Sabre as a Nasdaq-listed company trading under SABR.
Kenya Airways’ Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu said the programme would strengthen customer experience and staff tools as the airline modernises its retailing model.
“This is an important transformation of Kenya Airways' technology and digital retailing capabilities.” Thairu said.
According to the release, Sabre will replace the platform that has handled Kenya Airways’ bookings, inventory and airport check-in for more than two decades.
Travel technology firm Branchspace will build the customer-facing digital commerce layer for joint delivery with the Sabre platform.
The companies said the changes would support more tailored fares and ancillary options alongside easier bundling of trip components.
They also said passengers would get a smoother mobile and digital booking experience and faster airport check-in.
For Kenya’s aviation market, booking and servicing upgrades can affect conversion rates and distribution costs as competition for regional and intercontinental traffic intensifies.
These systems also affect airlines’ ability to sell higher-margin extras such as seat selection and additional baggage.
The upgrade includes Sabre Mosaic as the airline’s new operational and commercial backbone.
The release said Mosaic Offer Optimisation would use continuous learning and dynamic pricing to match offers to traveller demand.
Branchspace’s Triplake platform will become Kenya Airways’ primary digital touchpoint “from day one” according to the release.
Commercial teams will gain direct control over personalised offers across booking channels as the airline moves towards an offer-and-order infrastructure.
The shift reflects a broader global trend towards modernising passenger service systems (PSS) and retailing tools.
Carriers are seeking to increase direct sales and improve self-service alongside better handling of operational disruptions.
Thairu said combining digital commerce with a new PSS foundation would create a more flexible and personalised experience for customers and staff.
He said the combination would also support a smooth transition towards the future of airline retailing.
Sabre’s Chief Commercial Officer for Airline Technology Niklas Andréen said the agreement reflected demand for modular technology that airlines can introduce in stages.
“I'm incredibly proud that Kenya Airways has chosen Sabre as its strategic technology partner” Andréen said.
He said Kenya Airways was upgrading its core systems and advancing towards the next generation of travel retailing.
Andréen said the decision reflected growing confidence in modular technology that delivers value today while supporting an offer-and-order future.
Branchspace Chief Technology Officer David Turton said Triplake would give the airline more control over offer creation and retailing across channels.
Turton said technology could give airlines control over their commercial direction when supported by technical knowledge and continuous innovation.
“Kenya Airways is taking a bold step in their transformation to a modern retailer” Turton said.
He said Branchspace was proud that its capabilities would play a central role in that transition from the first day.
Kenya Airways said the move aligned it with the International Air Transport Association’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) standards.
Those standards support richer airline content and more flexible retailing through modern distribution.
The release said Sabre’s modular approach would allow Kenya Airways to modernise in stages rather than through a single cutover.
The airline did not disclose the contracts’ value or an implementation timeline.
Kenya Airways said the partnerships supported its ambitions to expand its network and increase direct sales and ancillary revenue.
Expected milestones include phased deployment of reservations, ticketing, digital commerce and airport servicing capabilities as the airline moves towards an offer-and-order operating model.