Distribution of NDC (New Distribution Capability) is diverse and the decision over which channel to use for bookings depends on several factors, including accessibility and operational abilities. The level of customisation and flexibility offered by each airline’s channels can vary significantly.
By understanding which options are available to book NDC content, travel agents can select the most suitable channel for their NDC bookings and leverage the benefits of this innovative technology.
73 airlines (out of the 300+ that IATA represents) are certified to use NDC to deliver at least some of their content, and their offerings are in various stages of technical development and maturity.
Travel News took a look at the channels currently available for South African agents to access and book NDC content.
1.Direct airline websites
Some airlines offer direct booking through their own websites, allowing agents to access NDC content and make reservations.
Airlines often make exclusive offers and promotions available only through their direct booking channels. This can sometimes provide agents and travellers with the best possible deals.
It's important to note that not all airlines offer the full range of NDC capabilities on their websites. Some may have limited offerings or require specific booking conditions to qualify for NDC fares.
Booking directly on an airline's website may not integrate seamlessly with the travel agency’s existing travel management systems, back office or booking tools, and of course, GDS segment overrides are lost.
2. Global distribution systems (GDS)
Major GDS providers like Amadeus, Travelport and Sabre are integrating NDC capabilities. This enables agents to access NDC content within their familiar GDS environment and search, compare, book and manage both NDC and non-NDC content in an integrated display.
Not all airlines have their NDC offerings on GDS yet. Travelport currently offers NDC access to 18 airlines, Sabre 16 and Amadeus 28 airlines. Both Amadeus and Travelport both report that negotiations are ongoing to get more airlines on board. All of these GDS providers are also negotiating the possibility of segment override agreements with some airlines.
3. NDC aggregators
These platforms aggregate NDC content from multiple airlines, providing agents with a centralised access point to access that content.
NDC aggregators like Thomalex offer a wide range of airline options and products, giving travel agents more flexibility in finding the best deals for their clients.
Aggregators can streamline the booking process by providing a single interface for accessing NDC content from multiple airlines and their products. NDC aggregators also provide richer data than airline websites and more detailed information about airline products. NDC content has the ability to integrate with back-office operations and provide reporting.
Thomalex currently offers NDC access for 15 airlines as well as normal GDS fares. All non-GDS (NDC) segments are added into the PNR so agents can keep their existing back-office systems.
4. API-based connections
Travel agents can leverage their own application programming interfaces (APIs) to connect directly to an airline’s NDC platform, enabling real-time data exchange and booking capabilities.
Travel agencies which want this solution would need to integrate their booking systems with the airline's NDC API, using standardised protocols and specifications. In this way, the travel agent's system sends requests to the airline's NDC API, requesting information about flights, fares, and ancillary products.
Integrating with airline APIs can be technically complex, requiring specialised skills and resources and is also quite costly for smaller travel agents.
Jareen Schoeman, owner of Sure Outeniqua Travel says travel agents should carefully evaluate the costs and benefits of each method to determine if it's the right choice for their business.
“I check the fares on the airline website and then check via Amadeus’ NDC if it is a participating airline. I have saved thousands of rands for clients on some airlines. I book and issue the cheaper fare on NDC and I just charge a higher professional fee. It’s a win-win,” says Schoeman.
A Johannesburg-based agent requesting anonymity described her experience with accessing NDC via Thomalex.
“The best thing about using Thomalex is that I can see all NDC and GDS fares in one place, there is no need to hop from one airline site to the next.
“The system communicates with our back-office operations which means whether I book an NDC or a GDS fare, they will both be accounted for in my reporting which is essential,” she said.
