Saudia to implement NDC capability with TPConnects

Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) is to implement IATA's New Distribution Capability (NDC) in a modular approach and has appointed leading technology solutions provider TPConnects to manage the NDC standard platform.
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“At Saudia, NDC implementation is seen as a major transformation project focusing on revenue drivers, major cost reducing programmes and implementing ONE Order initiatives, beyond opportunities in distribution,” said Rashed Al-Ajmi, Saudi’a Vice President Sales. “NDC standards enable Saudia to offer guests the opportunity to have a consistent shopping experience, including access to rich content, ability to buy ancillary products and services and to be recognised and receive personalised offers, wherever they shop for Saudia products, especially from travel Agents and online travel agency channels.”


TPConnects will roll out Saudia’s NDC-based distribution platform and deliver live NDC transactions by the beginning of 2017. “Saudia's vision is to facilitate a single reference number for a passenger holding all data elements in a travel cycle including flights, ancillaries and non-air products like hotels, cars, activities etc., which will simplify the travel experience of customers,” said Praveen Kumar, Chief Technology Officer, TPConnects.

IATA claims its NDC is a key transformation project to modernise airline distribution and its Program Director, Yanik Hoyles said more Middle Eastern carriers are likely to follow Saudia’s lead. “The introduction of NDC could help travel agents to improve the offering to the customer, to upsell additional services including branded fares or fare families which are of value to both the traveler and the corporation and create business process improvements,” he said.