Sabre Ends Aeroflot Deal, Cripples Russia’s Largest Airline

Airline software maker Sabre says it has ended its distribution agreement with Aeroflot, thus hamstringing Russia’s largest air carrier’s ability to sell tickets.

As CNBC reported Thursday (March 3), Sabre provides reservation and ticket distribution services for a number of airlines. By cutting off business with Aeroflot, the airline’s flights won’t show up on online travel agencies or third-party sites.

With this move, Texas-based Sabre joins companies like Boeing and General Electric in taking action against the Russian air industry in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week. The U.S. and Europe have also restricted Russian access to their airspace.

“Sabre has been monitoring the evolving situation in Ukraine with increasing concern,” Sean Menke, the company’s CEO, said in a statement.

“We are taking a stand against this military conflict. We are complying, and will continue to comply, with sanctions imposed against Russia.”

CNBC notes Sabre has a separate agreement with Aeroflot that lets the airline book passengers on the SabreSonic platform on the airline’s website.

“The Company 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,” Sabre said.

Read more: Binance Won’t Take Sanctioned Russian Banks’ Cards on Crypto Platform

Sabre was among numerous companies cutting ties with Russia as the war against Ukraine entered its second week.

Also on Thursday, cryptocurrency exchange Binance said it won’t allow cardholders from several sanctioned Russian banks to use them on its platform. Binance says it has also restricted access for sanctioned individuals involved with the attacks on Ukraine.

Binance is part of a small group of cryptocurrency exchanges taking such a stance against Russian banks and individuals involved in the Ukrainian invasion, while many of the larger crypto exchanges have decided to remain in Russia and continue with unfettered access.