The Swiss based information technology group, Atraxis, has signed a deal worth more than SFr1 billion with Africa's largest airline, South African Airways (SAA).

The Swiss based information technology group, Atraxis, has signed a deal worth more than SFr1 billion with Africa's largest airline, South African Airways (SAA).

Atraxis, which is SAirGroup's specialist information technology (IT) subsidiary, is to upgrade and maintain the airline's IT infrastructure.

As part of the deal, which is scheduled to run for 12 years, Atraxis will create a new company, Atraxis Africa, based in Johannesburg. SAA expects that Atraxis's new South African subsidiary will have positive spin-offs for other aviation industry players on the continent.

Among the IT tools to be offered by Atraxis are a modern reservation system, and systems for marketing and sales, management information, revenue management and accounting, and cargo and logistics.

The chairman of SAA, Coleman Andrews, said sophisticated IT services were crucial to the airline's global competitiveness.'

Last year, Swissair, also part of the SAirGroup, bought a 20 per cent stake in SAA for SFr360 million.

Atraxis posted operating revenue of SFr308 million in 1998. Expectations for 1999 are close to SFr400 million.

By Tom O'Brien

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