LOSSES EXPANDED by 47 per cent at Datalex in the first half of the year, but the travel software firm pointed to better underlying market conditions and an improved new business pipeline in recent months.

The Dublin-based group posted a pretax loss of $2.2 million (€1.73 million) for the period, up from a $1.5 million deficit in the same six months of last year.

Revenues also weakened, falling by 9 per cent from $14.4 million to $13.1 million – this was hit in part by a $350,000 drop linked to the volcanic ash-related disruption in the second quarter of the year.

Chief executive Cormac Whelan said the first-half numbers had tracked expectations, despite “continuing challenges” in the travel industry.

A Datalex statement accompanying the numbers highlighted “a definite improvement” in the firm’s new-business pipeline towards the end of the first half, with airlines’ efforts to broaden their revenue strategies working in the company’s favour.

“The challenges in closing new business persist, however, as airlines continue to be cautious on IT investment and commitments,” the company said.