NDC: Future of experiences

IATA has developed a ‘New Distribution Capability’ to modernise the way airfares and related services are distributed to travel agents. Airlines and travel agents are working together to enable this service.

Adnan Kazim, Deputy President & Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates

For Emirates, NDC has enabled us to modernise distribution and expand our reach in the travel trade retail community to provide our partners with access to high-quality, enriched content, more dynamic offers and ancillary options. We are also committed to working with our trade partners to offer more choice and personalisation for our customers by providing them access to exclusive products and services via NDC. All Emirates products and services sold through NDC fall under associated norms set by the airline. Existing legacy distribution systems had a number of limitations, but with NDC systems like Emirates Gateway, we have evolved this technology in line with consumer expectations.

 

Rehan Ali, CEO, Tawfeeq Travel

NDC allows travel agents to access richer content from airlines, this is more beneficial for the airlines who are going to save huge cost on distribution channel. As direct sell they will be able to control the inventory making it favourable to those having access to NDC content. This will also give opportunities to agency to earn more incentives. Every airline will have their own policy which will be updated time to time. However, content might be upgraded as per need.

 

Ernesto Beaumont Sanchez, Managing Director, Amadeus Gulf

NDC is essential for airlines and travel agents, empowering them to modernize distribution strategies with richer, more personalized content. This approach enhances product differentiation, improves customer experiences, and boosts revenue potential. This innovation is important in today’s competitive landscape. The NDC technology provides new ways and opportunities for airlines to develop and offer attractive offers.

 

Talha Ahmed Ali, Manager KSA, Cozmo Travel

NDC is an IATA standard (distribution channel) that allows travel agents to have dynamic access to the airline products. It has no expiration date, and its policies are mostly set by individual contracts rather than being governed by industry-wide standards. Pros: Rich content, real-time data, personalized offers, increased revenue Cons: Implementation costs, operational issues, Variable adoption, and limited client data management. Cancellations are easier.

 

Kathryn Wallington, Head of ME, Africa, UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Eastern Europe & Russia, Travelport

NDC is a content source that will enable better personalisation, more distinctive content and competitive airline offers for travel retailers (agencies) and travellers. While NDC is leading us in the right direction for more modern, personalised retailing experiences, it’s important to remember that content must be retail ready, which means it has to be easy to consume, understand, compare and service. And not all airlines deploying NDC are at the same place.

 

Malith Chamika, Holidays Supervisor, e-Travels & Tours LLC, Muscat

The New Distribution Capability is a programme crafted by the IATA and has taken centre stage among the latest trends and technologies to modernise the distribution of air travel products. It provides detailed and personalised booking experience for travellers by offering competitive fares, ancillary services, such as seat upgrade, excess baggage, and onboard Wi-Fi, meals, which helps GDSs, OTAs, and other distributors to deliver good offers.

 

Dinkar Dasaur, General Manager UAE, Satguru Travel

NDC (New Distribution Capability) is revolutionizing airline distribution & it is a data exchange standard by IATA that enhances communication between airlines and travel agents, offering more detailed and personalized booking options, benefiting customers with more choices. Cancellation policies can be more flexible or restrictive than traditional bookings. Fare validity or expiry works similarly to traditional systems, but NDC may offer more flexibility.

 

Smita Balachandran, Supervisor, Pluto Travels

NDC is an industry initiative launched and supported by IATA for the development and market adoption of a new, XML-based data transmission standard (NDC Standard). The NDC Standard enhances the capability of communications between the airlines and trade partners to meet the future need of airline retailing. The NDC agreement will continue until it has been terminated by either party. Airline holds the right to amend the conditions of sale on products.

 

Ajay Boyanis, Regional Director – UAE, Qatar, Oman, ITL World

When I think about NDC, I’m reminded of when British Airways first introduced the concept over a decade ago. At that time, NDC was still in its infancy, especially in markets like ours, where awareness of airline offerings through the NDC platform was limited compared to more mature Western markets. However, the platform has evolved significantly, as Gulf carriers like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways began offering valuable content.

 

Saleem Sharif, Deputy Managing Director Travelarts

In 2012, IATA introduced the concept of NDC as a response to the needs of both – airlines and passengers and not travel agents. IATA had set a deadline of achieving NDC capability for all airlines by 2025. NDC is a travel industry standard for the distribution and retailing of flight content. NDC is not a system, database, or piece of software – it is a standard for exchanging data. There is no policy and expiry. NDC is entirely dependent on what the airlines provide.

 

Kaizad Postwalla, Head of International Sales – North America and GMEA at Air India

We are actively pursuing the integration of NDC, which will make a significant difference to the way our products are retailed to travel agents, TMCs, and other travellers, once implemented. It would enable our travel agent partners to access a more diverse set of content, including ancillary services, dynamic pricing options, and fare families. This will improve our revenue management, and help us grow our ancillary revenues.

 

Ashiya Nazar, CEO, Akbar Group, International Division, Akbar Travels (India)

NDC is indeed transforming the travel industry by allowing airlines to offer more personalized and dynamic pricing and services and many more benefits. Air France – KLM have been a leader in adopting NDC, and they use it to enhance their offerings. By leveraging NDC, Air France – KLM is not just improving its distribution capabilities but also creating a more personalised travel experience. This strategic focus helps the airline maintain a competitive edge.

 

Hichame Lahkim Bennani, Regional Commercial Director – Middle East, Air France-KLM

NDC empowers airlines with capabilities to distribute more competitive offers. it enables dynamic Fare Adjustment with more price points for customers, rich airline content with new products, revenue generation with new tailored made offers and bundles and access to new NDC selling platforms, easier to use by new travel agents. NDC is a transformative technology that provides airlines with the capabilities to optimise distribution.