IATA NDC | New Distribution Capability | NDC Travel

 

What is New Distribution Capability? Why Do We Need NDC?

New Distribution Capability is a new XML-based data transmission standard. NDC creates opportunities to standardize data transfer. It’s a standard developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to enhance communication between airlines and travel agents.

The NDC Standard enables the travel industry to alter the way air products are retailed to companies, leisure, and business travelers by eliminating the industry's current distribution limitations:

·         Product differentiation and time-to-market

·         Access to complete and rich air content

·         Transparent shopping experience 

Airlines, travelmanagement companies, online travel agencies, corporate purchasers, global distribution networks, and other technology sectors also support the NDC Standard. By working collaboratively, participants ensure that the underlying schemas are functional and useable by everyone, regardless of corporate emphasis, geographic location, size, target markets, or particular commercial practices.

An industry standard will enable a more efficient airline distribution system, benefiting airlines, agencies, GDSs, IT providers, and travel start-ups. With NDC, an airline may quickly offer this traveler a package that includes a direct flight, an extra checked bag, and a seat in business class based on their customer data. Furthermore, NDC enables airlines to deliver this content directly to travel agents and travel management companies (TMC) without requiring GDS.

The airline sector has been working on NDC since 2012. Travelport recognized the need for airlines to provide its large inventory of airfares and ancillaries in an interactive, customized, and engaging manner for indirect sales on their websites.

New Distribution Capability supports travel agents and agencies in minimizing operating costs, time-consuming procedures, documentation techniques, and improving the advantages of different price alternatives. Furthermore, the desire of airlines to have more control over their content and improve their sales abilities led to the travel sector's need for NDC.

NDC gives travel companies additional information regarding airline services and ancillaries, and rich content paves the way for technological advancement. NDC provides access to the Internet Booking Engine (IBE) and the Global Distribution System, lowering costs and increasing revenues.