Travel systems may merge

TALKS have been taking place with a view to merging three of the world's largest flight and hotels computer reservation systems: Singapore-based Abacus, Amadeus of Europe and Worldspan of the US.

If successful, Cathay Pacific Airways, a shareholder in Abacus, would be a partner in the reservation system.

This would assure the distribution of its products to travel agents all over the world.

Cheong Choong Kong, managing director of Singapore Airlines, which is a founding Abacus partner, said the negotiations could result in anything from a strategic alliance to a total equity merger.

Abacus is currently the dominant computer reservations system in Asia.