Oleksandr Dzhydzhora
Travel technology provider DRCT has appointed Ukrainian airline executive Oleksandr Dzhydzhora as an aviation consultant to help accelerate the development of its “virtual” airline platform Direct One.
Direct One searches airline inventories and uses algorithms to identify unsold or “undervalued” airline seats, which can then be offered for sale through travel sellers.
Dzhydzhora joins DRCT after holding senior commercial roles at leading Ukrainian airlines, including Ukraine International Airlines and SkyUp Airlines.
He continues to retain his position as commercial director at Kyiv-based Bees Airline and is consulting for DRCT while Ukrainian airspace remains closed because of the ongoing war with Russia.
He said that “neo-airline” concepts, such as Direct One, ensured airlines were “not limited to traditional distribution channels and can maximise their potential sales and profitability”.
“I’m relishing the challenge of supporting DRCT in developing the Direct One proposition and ensuring that optimal offers can be served by the air carriers harnessing the very latest in AI technology,” added Dzhydzhora.
DRCT has now launched sales of its neo-airline fares for European destinations with an “undisclosed” global OTA (online travel agency) partner. DRCT announced in July that it was increasing its partner’s sales by 36 per cent through its tailored offers, in comparison with direct airline channels.
The tech firm is already a recognised NDC aggregator, which is working with more than 30 airlines worldwide including Lufthansa Group, Emirates and British Airways.