Dublin travel tech firm OpenJaw announces 200-job global expansion.
Earlier this week, it was reported that OpenJaw Technologies is to create 50 jobs in Dublin and Galway, but it turns out the company is also expanding globally.
The worldwide plan includes a 100-job R&D operation at Dalian in China as well as operations in Poland, Spain and Hong Kong.
OpenJaw was formed in Dublin in 2002 by three travel tech entrepreneurs.
‘The future of air travel is bound to e-commerce’
– KIERON BRANAGAN
Speaking with Siliconrepublic.com, Branagan explained that the company is enabling airlines to excel at e-commerce, by selling ancillary services such as hotels, car rental, transfers, tourist attractions and more.
“We enable airlines to achieve high-margin ancillary sales beyond the brand’s core inventory product, which is the seat.
Flying high
OpenJaw has more than 30 customers including some of the world’s biggest airlines such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Dragonair and Iberia.
Of the new jobs, 50 will be split between Dublin and Galway, 100 of the jobs will be in Dalian, and the remainder will be in Hong Kong, Poland and Spain.
“We are at 230 people at the moment and we are looking to grow to 450 people as part of our strategic plan,” said Branagan.
OpenJaw was acquired by GuestLogix in 2014. GuestLogix succumbed to financial problems and OpenJaw was subsequently acquired by its Chinese partner TravelSky last year.
As well as the 200 new jobs, OpenJaw has signed up four new airline customers: Shenzhen Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Sichuan Airlines and China United Airlines.
The companies are rolling out full airline retail capabilities, from selling meals to hotel packages, air passes and dynamic packaging.
“Our intention to expand our workforce globally is directly linked to the tremendous growth we are experiencing in Asia, especially in the domestic Chinese market,” Branagan said.
“Our relationship with TravelSky has given us proprietary access to the Chinese market, and we’re already live with four Chinese carriers and we have another four in development. Ireland is a great location from which to attract key talent into our business and we are opening a large R&D centre in Dalian, China. As part of this recruitment campaign, we are looking for a wide range of talent including travel tech specialists and software engineers.”
