SOME passengers on Singapore Airlines (SIA) international flights arriving into Changi Airport early last month flew on the carrier with tickets booked using IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology.
The transaction was done through Star Cruise Travel Services, one of Travelport’s partner agencies for the implementation of NDC capability. It made the ticket bookings through Smartpoint, the technology company’s agency desktop solution.
Travelport said this is its “next step in its ongoing support for SIA KrisConnect programme”.
SIA launched the KrisConnect programme in late 2018 as an initiative to make information and functionalities on its digital platforms more readily available to partners. Since then Travelport has been working with the carrier to deepen its NDC collaboration and to improve how NDC content is integrated into the agent workflow.
Commenting on the development Kyle Moore, head of customer strategy at Travelport, described it as “an important milestone for our industry and our partnership with Singapore Airlines as they work to leverage IATA’s New Distribution Capability.”
Bryan Koh, SIA divisional vice president e-commerce and distribution, said that by leveraging technology the airline and its partners could meet the “evolving expectations” of its customers that include accessing information and demand for greater personalisation in travel.
“The KrisConnect Programme and the technology upon which it sits is key to meeting those expectations, and SIA is pleased to be leading the change in Asia. This milestone achievement with Travelport is critical in ensuring the programme’s success.”
Agencies connecting to KrisConnect through Travelport have access to customised offerings that are tailored to traveller needs and preferences.
Travelport said that as part of its programme of continuous improvements to the NDC booking process agents using this functionality can manage NDC ticket exchanges. With the addition of this key servicing feature the company will continue the rollout of its NDC capability to agencies signed up to KrisConnext.
Travelport was the first GDS to make a live NDC booking in October 2018, and is already connected to a number of airlines’ NDC content.
• Featured image credit: Singapore Airlines
