Datalex Technology enables Saudi Arabian Airlines to Successfully Commence Online Booking Operations

Saudi Arabian Airlines introduces new cost effective sales distribution channel using Datalex hosted solution

Mr. Muhannad Al-Ibrahim, one of the over 14 million passengers carried by Saudi Arabian Airlines each year, became the first customer to use its new Web booking facility which went live on January 15, 2003. One of the largest airlines in the Middle East, Saudi Arabian Airlines is the latest to join the list of distinguished airlines which have adopted Datalex technology for their online booking channels. The solution for Saudi Arabian Airlines includes the management of its system components at Datalex’s world-class hosting facilities in Atlanta.

Presenting Mr. Muhannad Al-Ibrahim with a gift and a ticket as tokens of appreciation and honouring him for being the first customer to utilize the new system, Dr. Khaled A. Ben-Bakr, Director General, Saudi Arabian Airlines, said that booking through the Internet will save the Airline and its customers much time and effort and give the passenger an efficient and comfortable means of reserving and purchasing his ticket.

Hosted by Datalex and individually customised to client requirements, the online booking system connects to Saudi Arabian Airlines’ own SARS reservation system and provides support for Arabic, which is a critical requirement for the Middle Eastern market. The booking engine also links into Saudi Arabian Airlines’ frequent flyer program Al Fursan, providing the airline’s customers with a new level of service, built around an enjoyable and user-friendly online experience. The flexibility of the booking software/hardware configuration enables the site capacity to grow with Saudi Arabian Airlines’ requirements.

Neil Wilson, Head of Global Sales and Marketing for Datalex, visited Jeddah recently for the airline’s global sales conference. According to Wilson, the facilities-managed service provided by Datalex provides a cost-effective alternative to managing airline e-Commerce strategies, helping customers control the total cost of technology ownership. “We currently host some of the world’s leading airlines and travel suppliers to which we provide guaranteed service-level agreements for availability, performance and recovery. This service offering provides an additional and fast-growing revenue stream for Datalex,” added Wilson.

With the site now fully operational, Datalex provides Saudi Arabian Airlines with a managed Internet booking service covering the operation of all software applications, hardware and connectivity. Its system architecture is designed to provide high levels of security and to ensure maximum up time for Saudi Arabian Airlines’ online booking facility. Datalex is delighted to welcome Saudi Arabian Airlines to its growing list of premier travel suppliers on a Datalex e-business platform.

About Datalex
Datalex is a leading provider of technology solutions for the global travel industry. Founded in 1985, the company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and maintains offices throughout the world: Europe (Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Manchester); USA (Atlanta, Petaluma. Minneapolis); and Asia-Pacific (Singapore).

Datalex’s customers include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Amadeus, American Express, American Trans Air, Amtrak, Best Western International, California State Automobile Association, Delta Air Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, FAR&WIDE, Galileo, KLM, LasVegas.com, Lufthansa, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Page&Moy, Siemens Canada and Germany, SilkAir, Singapore Airlines, SNCF, Sol Melia, Thomas Cook, Trailfinders, Travelcare, T-Systems, Unisys, Vail Resorts Inc., WEXAS and Worldspan. Datalex is a publicly held company traded on the Irish Stock Exchange (symbol: DLE and also OTC: DLEXY). For more information, please visit the company’s Web site at www.datalex.com.

About Saudi Arabian Airlines
Saudi Arabian Airlines is one of the Middle East’s largest airlines. With over 14 million passengers carried each year and an international network linking over 50 cities on four continents, Saudi Arabian Airlines is also one of the world’s major airlines and ranks 15th among the 165 member airlines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, please visit the airline’s Web site at www.saudiairlines.com.
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