Dublin-based Datalex, through its Travel Distribution Platform, enabled South African Airways to begin cross-selling hotels and car rentals within South Africa, the companies say.
The airline, which offers these new ancillary services on its air-booking confirmation page, teams with Travelport's Octopus Travel, which is part of GTA, for hotels, and car-hire firms AvisBudget and Europcar to deliver the add-on inventory in a single merchandising platform.
Airlines all over the world are trying to build up ancillary revenue. South African Airways does not charge a standard fee for a first-checked bag and has a free bag allowance.
So, unlike a lot of airlines which have chosen to tack on bag fees, South African Airways decided to offer car-hire and hotels to pump up revenue.
Future enhancements on the agenda include adding French, German and other languages to the mix, the companies say.
Datalex clients include United Air Lines, Aer Lingus, Frontier Airlines, SAS,STA Travel, Philippine Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Vail Resorts.