1. Definition of NDC

2. What is New Distribution Capability(NDC)?

3. Non-NDC Flight Distribution Process-Today

4.NDC-Enabled Flight Distribution Process

In Today’s Scenario, the Airline Content is distributed using a third party distribution process. It works as follows-

1. Airlines follow NDC standards to Update their XML to share offers with rich content to Travel Agents, GDS, Aggregators or Travellers.

2. The Traveler reaches to the travel agent (That Could be TMC for Business Traveler & an OTA or Retailer for a Leisure traveler).

3. Travel Agents put the request to GDS System or Aggregators.

4. GDS & Aggregators pulls the information from Airlines directly through XML enabled with NDC standard- Fares, Schedule & Availability.

5. Combined offer relayed back to Travel Agent and Agent offers the same to the traveler.

Or

7. The Travel Agent can connect directly with NDC Enabled Airline XML to their system or Website to find the offer as per the traveler’s need.

5. Benefits of NDC .

1. Definition of NDC

2.What is New Distribution Capability(NDC)?

3. Non-NDC Flight Distribution Process-Today

In Today’s Scenario, the Airline Content is distributed using third party distribution process. It works as follows-

1. The Traveler ( Business or Leisure) wants to go from LHR ( London) to DXB ( Dubai).

2. The Traveler reaches to the travel agent (That Could be TMC for Business Traveler & an OTA or Retailer for a Leisure traveler).

3. Travel Agents put the request or share the query to GDS System.

4. The GDS pulls the information –

• For Fares & Schedule from Third Party Providers.
• For Availability GDS goes to Airlines to build the offer with current Availability.

5. If the Airline has current Availability then the offer gets combined by GDS ( Fare, Schedule & Availability).

6. Combined offer relayed back to Travel Agent and Agent offers the same to the traveler.

Or

7. The Travel Agent can go directly to the Airline’s E-commerce Website to find the offer as per the traveler’s need.

Or

8. The Traveler can directly go to the Airlines Website & search for the offer as per the need.

4. NDC Enabled Flight Distribution Process.

1. Definition of NDC

2.What is New Distribution Capability(NDC)?

New Distribution Capability

NDC was originally created as a way to bypass the GDS providers, but slowly these providers(GDS) have become more involved in the process. The basic idea is that NDC is supposed to give indirect distribution channels, such as GDS and metasearch, the same capabilities as an airline’s website.

NDC is just a Messaging Standard, empowering airlines to become retailers across all channels, NDC enables airlines to use a single messaging standard to distribute their product to Global Distribution Systems (GDS), Aggregators(Kiwi, Mystifly), Travel Agents, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), Online Booking Tools (OBTs), Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and directly to the traveller.

Using NDC single messaging standard Airlines can easily communicate Full & Rich Content information such as Ancillaries Product- Lounge Access, Seat selection, Pre-Checked Bags, Baggage, Upgrades, Meals, Car Rentals, Travel Insurance, Wifi on Board, Extra Leg Room, Fast-Track Boarding, and Rich content (HD Quality pictures and videos of products).

Airlines spend a huge amount on the product however the way Airlines currently sell does not allow for differentiation against competitors. NDC facilitates the distribution of product offers combined with rich content, to give customers and agents more compelling information to differentiate

NDC Messaging Standard–

• It’s an XML Based Communication standard
• Enhances the capability of communications between airlines and travel agent
• Access to Full & Rich Air Content – Ancillaries – Seat, Meal, Wifi, Lounge etc.
• NDC Content is Open for Any Travel Intermediary to Implement & Use
• Enabling full transparency of the shopping experience

NDC is basically a way to standardize this so companies don’t have to reinvent the wheel when creating direct connections. Instead of using multiple APIs, they can use the IATA standard for connecting to travel agencies, aggregators/GDS, etc.

3. Non-NDC Flights Distribution Process

1.NDC Definition – New Distribution Capability

New Distribution Capability (NDC) is a new technology created by IATA to streamline the airline distribution process. It’s an XML-based communication standard to create direct connections between airlines and third party distributors.

NDC- A New Messaging Standard

NDC is just a messaging standard, enables the travel industry to transform the way air products are retailed to corporations, leisure, and business travelers, by addressing the industry’s current distribution limitations.

NDC facilitates the distribution of product offers combined with rich content, to give customers and agents more compelling information to differentiate

NDC- A New Way of Airline Retailing

NDC is not just a message standard, it is about becoming an Airline Retailer the spirit of NDC is well captured in slogan “Together Lets Build Airline Retailing“

–  IATA’s slogan

2. What is New Distribution Capability(NDC)?