THE Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology industries, and updates on how businesses in these sectors are resetting as they prepare for post-pandemic travel.
Amadeus steps up NDC adoption with airline and travel partners in APAC
To help in the rebuilding of travel in the Asia Pacific region, Amadeus is accelerating its NDC (New Distribution Capability) content capabilities with various partnerships across airline and travel sellers.
The travel technology company said while businesses worldwide is working to overcome the challenges brought on by the pandemic, “the travel industry recognises NDC as a key factor in restructuring travel and keeping up with the real needs, demands and changing tastes of modern digital consumers.”
It added that travel agencies worldwide can access content and offers from its partners through the Amadeus Travel Platform.
Singapore Airlines is one of Amadeus’ partners that is making its content available via NDC as part of the airline’s “Kris Connect” programme. Agents can shop, book, and pay for the airline’s offers via the Amadeus Travel Platform.
Qantas recently partnered with Amadeus to deliver Qantas NDC source content to pilot travel distributors and tested bookings and services via the travel platform.
The partnership also extends to travel distributors in the region. Riya Travel, one of India’s largest retail distributors and a long-term partner of Amadeus, is implementing NDC to boost its travel content.
In Indonesia tiket.com, one of the fastest growing online travel agencies (OTA) in the country, became the first OTA in South-east Asia to adopt NDC to drive modern retailing and recovery opportunities.
Taiwan’s largest OTA ezTravel has joined Amadeus’ NDC [X] to spearhead innovation with NDC-enabled API.
“As the travel industry rebuilds we believe technology innovations like NDC will be key to recovery. It is no secret that our digital-first travellers want richer, relevant and tailor-made content; the kind of experience they already see in many other parts of their lives,” said Frederic Saunier, Asia Pacific vice president of airline distribution sales at Amadeus.
“Through technology like NDC we can power great journeys for travellers. NDC is a strategic priority for Amadeus and our goal is to make NDC-sourced content available to all our travel sellers around the world over the course of this year.”
Etihad trials travel verification solution to authenticate Covid-19 test results
Etihad Airways is working with Singapore-based technology company Affinidi to advance the airline’s ability to digitally read, authenticate and validate Covid-19 test results.
Currently, travellers are required to book pre departure test (PDT) at accredited healthcare Institutions, and present the health reports with negative test results to airlines and immigration authorities before they can board their flights. However, the lack of a global standard for digital health credentials impedes the verification process.
Affinidi said its travel verification and interoperable solution reads and authenticates various verifiable QR codes on health reports in a confidential manner, regardless of the issuing authority and format, allowing airlines to process health credentials more seamlessly.
Etihad has been trialling Affinidi’s travel verification solution, Healthcare Network Assessment (HNA), since March 27 this year to authenticate the digital health credentials of passengers travelling from Singapore to Abu Dhabi.
Through this partnership Etihad became the first airline to participate in HNA, and it has since expanded the programme to Bahrain, Cairo, Maldives, Manila and Jakarta. The carrier said it would continue to extend HNA across more destinations in its network.
“To facilitate the safe reopening of international travel and provide our guests with the best experience it is important that we are able to seamlessly authenticate and validate health credentials, regardless of their origin or format, in a manner that protects the confidentiality of our guest’s data,” said John Wright, Etihad Airways’ vice president global airports and network operations.
Saudi Arabia accepts IATA Travel Pass for Covid-19 tests
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will accept IATA Travel Pass to confirm results of pre-departure test (PDT) for Covid-19 for departing and arriving passengers starting September 30, 2021.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in welcoming the decision by KSA’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), said this acceptance would be expanded to vaccine certification.
Under the arrangement, travellers to/from KSA will have the choice of using either the IATA Travel Pass or Tawakkalna, the country’s national health app owned and developed by Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
IATA said Saudi Arabian Airlines has been a trial partner in the development of the IATA Travel Pass. GACA and Tawakkalna are working for the travel pass to a vehicle for pre-arrival clearance for KSA, thus paving the way for the safe restart of the Kingdom’s travel and tourism industry.
“Our collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, GACA, Tawakkalna and Saudi Arabian Airlines demonstrates a shared commitment to restore international air travel safely,” commented Willie Walsh, IATA director general,.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s acceptance of IATA Travel Pass will demonstrate how digital solutions can effectively manage both Covid-19 vaccine and test certificates. The trust that the KSA has placed in IATA Travel Pass is an example for other governments to follow.”
Abdulaziz A. Al Duailej, GACA’s president said the Kingdom is “committed to drive the adoption of digital health certificates and restore international air travel.”
• Featured image credit: IATA
