Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) has signed a major technology deal with Datalex, a leading provider of technology solutions for the global travel industry.
The deal was announced by Datalex which is based in Ireland. It said this was its first major contract in the Middle East. SAA has contracted Datalex to develop an Internet booking engine to connect to its own SARS reservation system using the latest version of the Datalex BookIt! CONSUMER Internet Booking Engine and BookIt! MATRIX integration platform. The booking engine provides support for Arabic, which is a critical requirement for the market. The booking engine will also link into SAAÕs frequent flyer program Al Fursan, providing the airlineÕs customers with a new level of service, all built around an enjoyable online experience. The product will be initially launched in the domestic Saudi Arabian market, which accounts for most of Saudi Arabian AirlinesÕ sales. The rollout to international markets will follow shortly after that. Datalex will host the booking engine for Saudi Arabian Airlines at its world-class hosting facilities in Atlanta, USA. ÒWe are the largest airline in the Middle East and proud to have our own Internet booking engine,Ó said SAA director general Dr Khaled A Ben-Bakr. ÒIt is one more step in providing better service to our valued customers and a reaffirmation of our commitment to provide them with the latest and most efficient technological tools available.Ó