Datalex plc announced a renewed partnership with Air China for a further three years. As part of the renewal, Air China will migrate to the latest version of Datalex's China Shopping and Pricing product, which brings greater efficiencies to the airline such as improved speed to market of new features and releases. As well as achieving ongoing cost and time savings from operational efficiencies, this future-proofed product provides Air China with greater tactical flexibility and a faster market reaction time, and more choice for the airline's customers.

Migrating to the latest product version also means that Air China can leverage digital retail product capabilities in line with the pace of its digital transformation strategy and the market recovery in China. Datalex is also releasing new market insights that signal a much-anticipated recovery in Chinese aviation activity. New data from Datalex signals a much-anticipated recovery in China and increased demand for its digital transformation products and expertise.

Results recorded by Datalex through customers using its airline software in the Chinese market show a material increase in demand in the first three months of this year with March transaction volumes reaching 43% of 2019 figures. Further positive market indications pointing to a steady recovery were also seen with monthly transaction volumes trending upwards. Datalex's figures show a month on month increase in transaction volumes of 26% in March 2023, compared to February 2023.

A material increase in booking volumes recorded by Datalex in China represents a significant shift in the recovery prospects for the aviation sector in the region, following an extended period of suppressed activity. The trends shown by Datalex are also in line with indications of a wider regional recovery as the number of people entering and leaving China exceeded one million in a single day for the first time since 2020, according to the Chinese National Immigration Administration.