S African Airways logs on IBS' iFly

The Technopark-based IBS Software Services, a leading provider of software solutions to the travel, transportation and logistics industries, today announced the successful implementation of its web-based solution, iFly, in the operations of South African Airways.

iFly is a web-based solution that manages staff travel requirements of airlines. According to IBS, iFly is built on new generation technologies that automates the airline staff travel process. iFly facilitates a self-serviced environment for staff to use concessions and make bookings directly through its booking module.

The rules manager module of iFly helps staff travel administrators to define and maintain staff travel policies and rules centrally, it added.

By putting into use iFly in its operations, South African Airways has become the second customer for the IBS solution. Air New Zealand had earlier implemented the software in its operations.

iFly will allow the South African Airways staff to utilise their travel concessions and create bookings directly on the Amadeus reservation system, the company said.

This would reduce the time spent on arranging staff travel and lower the workload of the staff travel department. The application is accessible through the internet, staff kiosks or through own office terminals, it added.

According to V K Mathews, chairman and managing director, IBS Group, "Staff travel is an area where there is a huge potential for saving, especially in terms of productive work hours of employees. We are extremely pleased that SAA selected iFly for their staff travel requirements. The generic nature of the product helped us quicken our pace for customisation during implementation".

Mike Re, CIO of South African Airways, added in a release that the airline found iFly a perfect functional and technically fit for its requirements.

"The implementation of this new system has generated a steady increase in the number of staff bookings with a much more simplified and manageable solution now being available for use," he said.

The airline carries more than 7 million passengers a year on a route network that serves 34 cities in 26 countries and has a fleet of 58 aircraft.