IATA moves ahead with NDC

IATA has made it official, filing an application with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for approval of Passenger Services Conference Resolution 787, which is the foundation standard for the New Distribution Capability (NDC). (NDC is an IATA-led collaborative industry initiative to define an Extensible Markup Language (XML) messaging standard that will enable retailing opportunities through the indirect channel (Global Distribution System (GDS) and travel agents). Resolution 787 was adopted by the Passenger Services Conference in October 2012.) In making its filing, IATA director general and CEO, Tony Tyler said: “Today’s air travel consumers who visit a travel agency or an online travel site don’t have easy access to all of the options to add value to their travel plans. This is because the indirect sales channel remains largely dependent on pre-Internet messaging standards. This provides agents with the basic information — fare and travel class. But agents have been unable to easily see important product characteristics such as the availability of Wi-Fi or seat features. And it is difficult to distinguish pricing alternatives like fares with fewer restrictions on travel changes. Consumers can already find all of this on airline web sites. NDC will make the same choices — and future innovations — available wherever consumers choose to buy their travel products. IATA said that on airline web sites consumers can view complete offers including ancillary products such as expedited boarding, onboard Wi-Fi, customized dining options, luggage pick-up and delivery services, and lounge access. Moreover on their own web sites airlines are able to tailor those offers to meet the customer’s particular needs; and travellers can compare fare options for greater flexibility, and also personalize their plans by choosing the options most valuable to them for a particular journey. This is similar to the experience customers have when accessing any leading retail website. And the airline websites are XML-ready, meaning that multiple airline offers can easily be aggregated and compared once a standard is in place. Said Tyler: “NDC will enable travel agents and travellers to comparison shop knowing that they have access to the full value of an airline’s complete product offer, not just the base fare. Furthermore, airlines and agents will be able to present customized offers to those customers that desire to be recognized. This happens on airline web sites already. But I also want to be very clear. NDC will not require passengers to transmit any more information than they do today on airline websites or third party travel sites in order to get an offer. Creating an open XML standard will also encourage new entry and innovation among providers of airline distribution solutions. “Historically, competition results in better service and lower prices. ThatÆs good for travelers as well as for the industry.” Go to http://www.iata.org .