The International Air Transport Association (IATA) 69th Annual General Meeting (AGM) reaffirmed its support for the New Distribution Capability (NDC) initiative. This will develop an open, XML-based distribution standard for data exchange between airlines and travel agents.
In a unanimously approved
AGM Resolution (pdf), IATA members agreed that, “consumers will benefit from being able to make choices based on enriched content and the ability to compare and transact airline offers in a transparent fashion.”
Consumers already have the ability to view rich content when they visit many airline websites, including bundled and no frills fare offers and personalization, as well as the ability to see graphic depictions of products and services available for sale. In most cases, however, travel agents do not have access to the same information and services through their systems. The XML-based NDC standard will close this merchandizing gap, providing consumers with the same shopping experience regardless of how and where they do their travel shopping.
The AGM Resolution affirmed that NDC will support current shopping methods, including the ability for consumers to compare base fares and to do so without identifying themselves (“anonymous shopping”). The AGM Resolution also noted that consumers will be protected by data privacy protection laws and regulations regardless of how and where they choose to purchase air travel.
Additionally, members confirmed that airlines and other industry players will be free to decide whether or not to adopt NDC to support some or all of their distribution needs, and that IATA would continue to support the existing legacy standard while demand for it exists.
The AGM Resolution adds further momentum to the NDC initiative. The NDC foundation standard was agreed by the Passenger Service Conference in late 2012 and has been submitted to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for approval. IATA XML schemas to support NDC pilots are now available for download at www.iata.org and live pilots will be underway by year end.
Source: IATA