Popovich: NDC is now mainstream
IATA has launched the New Distribution Capability (NDC) Certification Registry, which lists companies that have implemented NDC standards, allowing them to be identified by other businesses.
Any airline that deploys an NDC application programming interface (API) to make its content available, or any agent or aggregator that uses these APIs to get that content, may apply for NDC certification. Vendors offering NDC products and services for airlines and travel agents can also apply to be NDC-capable.
IATA has introduced three levels of attainment to differentiate the level of NDC implementation.
Level 1 covers implementation using past and current NDC schemas with a limited scope, such as sales of ancillaries post-booking, for instance. Level 2 requires more extensive use of the shopping and offer management API, while Level 3 targets NDC end-to-end deployments, covering both offer and order management and where the airline takes full control of shopping as well as booking, payment and ticketing.
Amadeus has received Level 3 NDC certification as an IT provider from IATA for implementing the Altéa NDC solution developed earlier this year. With the certification, Amadeus now has the option to distribute their prices and fares, including ancillary and fare family content, using NDC Offers & Orders.
“Since the IATA membership approved the first NDC standard in September 2015, we have seen a huge upsurge in interest and activity among airlines, GDSs and IT providers,” said Aleks Popovich, IATA senior vice president, financial and distribution services.
“NDC certification confirms the scope and level of an entity’s ability to receive and send NDC messages. Making that information available on a public registry provides transparency and visibility on existing deployments as well as identifying those who have demonstrated a level of readiness to support NDC messages.”
As of June 1, 20 airlines and 17 technology companies have achieved NDC certification or NDC-capable status, while six applications are in progress. Half of all IATA member airlines are expected to be NDC-certified or capable within the next four years.
