INSIGHTS
Who’s Who in NDC
There are various stakeholders involved in the conversations about air distribution and New Distribution Capability (NDC). Each has their own role to play and priorities to bring to the table, to ensure a seamless experience for everyone, from travellers to travel consultants. This infographic explains the who’s who.
Airlines
Primary advocates of NDC - some have started to offer NDC.
Examples: Lufthansa Group, British Airways, American Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Air France & KLM.
- Have varying strategies, which may include creating their own unique NDC offering.
- Have typically focused NDC efforts around leisure travel.
- Must now ensure corporate customers' expectations are met.
Global Distribution Systems
The main way airlines sell product for corporate business
Examples: Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport, Travelsky
- Most flight bookings are made via GSD (using older 'EDIFACT' rather than NDC).
- Adapting to support both EDIFACT and NDC content.
- Due to their scale, eyes are on the GSDs to develope their NDC capabilities further.
Travel Management Companies
Manage travel programs for corporate customers
Examples: FCM
- Assist airlines in better understanding corporate customers and the functionality they need.
- Typically manages the relationship with OBTs and GDSs.
- Makes sure the right rates and content are available to travellers.
Online Booking Tools
Where travellers book/manage travel.
Examples: Concur, Cytric, Savi, FCM Booking.
- Work with TMCs, GDSs/aggregators and corporate customers to make content available to book online.
- Display booking options based on company travel policy (may cover NDC).
- Integrates with TMC systems to create a seamless approach for corporate customers.
Risk Management Technology
Technology that supports the safety of travellers.
Examples: International SOS, Crisis24
- Integrates with TMCs, or some TMCs have their own solution.
- Ast hey work on a new technical language, NDC bookings can disrupt messaging to these providers.
- In the case of FCM, messaging is normalised to ensure risk management works correctly.
Corporate Customers
Range from national companies to international conglomerates.
Includes: Decision Makers, Travel Managers and Travel Bookers.
- Valuable segment of an airline's business due to the volume and frequency of their travel.
- Are responsible for designing their travel policy, which may cover NDC.
- May negotiate directly with airlines and/or use their TMC's negotiated rates.