Sabre Corporation has entered an agreement to acquire Abacus International, the leading global distribution system in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sabre already has a 35% stake in Abacus, but will purchase the remaining portion of Abacus from a consortium of 11 Asian airlines for $411 million.

Abacus, which will operate as a region of Sabre Travel Network, currently serves more than 100,000 travel agents across the Asia-Pacific region’s 59 markets, and has both global and local relationships with airlines and hotels, Sabre says in a statement.

“The Asia-Pacific travel market is the largest and fastest growing in the world,” says Tom Klein, Sabre president and CEO. “Acquiring Abacus immediately combines the global capabilities of Sabre with the deep local market expertise of the leading Asia-Pacific GDS.” 

The acquisition also includes new long-term distribution agreements between Sabre and the 11 airline owners of Abacus.

Klein adds, “Together with Abacus, Sabre will provide customers and suppliers with improved and faster access to Sabre’s industry-leading innovations, including low-cost carrier content, ancillary capabilities, data analytics, and the latest in mobile solutions and personalization services.

“Additionally, airlines and travel agencies will have more options for new and differentiated products and services created specifically for customers in the Asia-Pacific market.”