Strong NDC momentum in the last 18 months, according to Amadeus report
The opinions of airlines, travel agencies and travel suppliers, as well as industry experts themselves, show that the momentum for IATA's New Distribution Capability (NDC) has accelerated in the last 18 months and conclude that 2021 is the year in which this protocol will be adopted on a large scale, according to Amadeus' latest report.
Airlines have started to tailor-make promotions, as well as experiment with innovations such as continuous pricing and new types of bundled offers.
The most diverse travel providers are being launched worldwide, with over 2.500 travel agenciesin 50 markets can now book and service airline content through the NDC using Amadeus solutions.
These solutions include Amadeus Selling Platform Connect, Amadeus Travel API and Amadeus cytric Travel & Expense.
The technology underpinning the NDC has advanced considerably. Travel sellers can now consume content NDC and EDIFACT, along with content LCC (Low Cost Carriers) delivered through APIs, all in one place with Amadeus Travel Platform.
It is important to note that the report cites the recent improvements in service and the readiness of travel agencies' mid- and back-office systems as key to expansion in the coming months and years.
As noted by Angel Gallego, executive vice president of Travel Distribution at Amadeus, "It is encouraging to see that the industry is increasingly viewing NDC as a key pillar of recovery. With modern digital selling, travel will be based on dynamic offers, which will be a competitive advantage for airlines and travel sellers who embrace this change.
The report also sheds light on some of the obstacles that still exist to widespread adoption of the NDC, including the need to upgrade airline systems, the adoption of a common NDC standard and the transformation of mid- and back-office systems for travel sellers.
The report calls on the industry to prioritize collaboration and experimentation to advance NDC adoption.
–Collaboration: The success of the NDC remains dependent on the industry's ability to keep talking. With greater collaboration, it will be easier to recognize each other's challenges and interests, which will help align objectives and deliver the end-to-end value that the entire ecosystem expects.
Experimentation: NDC is a playground for innovation, and by increasing experimentation and testing, the industry can better understand how this new digital retail standard can improve the travel experience and accelerate recovery.