THE Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology industries, and to keep track of developments in these sectors as businesses adapt and reset to meet challenges in the era of coronavirus.
Singapore Airlines brings content to Amadeus Travel platform via NDC
Singapore Airlines is making its content more widely available to travel agents via IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) technology through partnerships with global distribution systems (GDS) like Travelport, and now with Amadeus.
In December 2018 SIA inked an agreement with the travel technology company, which saw the carrier adopting Amadeus Altéa NDC and Amadeus Anytime Merchandising to enhance its distribution strategy. The airline is now expanding this existing partnership by making its content available via NDC to travel agents worldwide through Amadeus Travel Platform.
In a statement announcing this latest collaboration, Amadeus said agents worldwide connected to the travel platform will soon be able to shop, book, and pay for SIA’s s offers made available through NDC as part of the airline’s KrisConnect programme.
Agents can sell ancillary services such as seat selection, excess baggage, special fares and personalised merchandising offers for loyalty members and corporate travellers. More content will be added including dynamic fares.
Amadeus said travel sellers can start making bookings through its NDC-enabled solutions – Amadeus Selling Platform Connect and Amadeus Travel API – starting from January next year in Asia Pacific, followed by other global markets throughout first half the year. Additionally, Amadeus cytric Travel & Expense (solution for corporations) will be able to process AIA’s bookings via NDC during 2021.
Bryan Koh, SIA divisional vice president, e-commerce and distribution, said the carrier is “committed to improving our retail capabilities and extending them to travel agents through multiple channels and touchpoints such as self-booking tools, web services, travel agency front office solutions, and mobile.”
Cyril Tetaz, executive vice president, airlines, Asia Pacific at Amadeus, added the partnership was “further proof of our strategic commitment to NDC as we are delivering sustainable, long-term value for our customers, which is more important than ever amid the current market circumstances.”
Lufthansa Group and Sabre inked new distribution agreement
Lufthansa Group and Sabre Corporation have announced a new “mutually flexible distribution agreement that enables modern airline retailing as well as technology innovation.”
Under the agreement that covers Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, Air Dolomiti and Brussels Airlines, Sabre will continue to distribute content of the group’s carrier through traditional connectivity to travel agents and corporations through its global distribution system (GDS).
Additionally, the content will be distributed via the New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard in the Sabre travel marketplace.
Scheduled to go live in the first half of 2021 the diversified NDC programme will give Sabre-connected travel agencies globally access to the airlines’ content through the Sabre marketplace, and by signing up to one of the two available commercial models for NDC.
Sabre said in statement this agreement supports the airline group carriers’ strategy to implement NDC technology and deliver personalised price offers through the newly launched Continuous Pricing.
Tamur Goudarzi Pour, senior vice president revenue management and distribution Lufthansa Group Network Airlines and chief commercial officer SWISS, called the agreement with Sabre “a landmark deal for airline distribution”
“Sabre and Lufthansa Group airlines share an ambition to innovate at the forefront of our industry. Through this new level of flexibility, we jointly enable a diverse distribution ecosystem, extend the reach of NDC and allow for differentiated commercial models.”
He added that with this customer-oriented agreement the two companies are putting “the interests of our travel agency partners and our joint clients at centre stage.”
Meanwhile, Sabre is “proud” to have signed “a sustainable agreement with our partners at Lufthansa Group and one that provides both companies a new level of flexibility to drive a new generation of retailing,” said its president of Sabre Travel Solutions Dave Shirk.
SITA’s revamped website showcases solutions for the transportation industry
Global IT provider to the air transport industry SITA has launched a newly-designed website to provide users an easier, more user-friendly way to explore its portfolio .
The new website at www.sita.aero showcases SITA’s solutions for airlines, airports, ground handlers, governments and air navigation service providers, while also giving a comprehensive overview of its portfolio such as airports borders, and aircraft.
According to SITA, the website’s “streamlined, modern design, enhanced functionality and easy access to essential information” helps companies in the air transport industry make well-informed decisions about their IT needs.
“We wanted to give our customers a digital experience where it is easier for them to explore our portfolio and find what they are looking for. This is a vital extension of the service we provide to our customers across the industry,” commented Edna Ayme-Yahil, head of communications, brand and sustainability at SITA.
She added that the redesign was “particularly important at a time when SITA is sharpening its portfolio to better respond to the industry’s changing priorities and increased focus on digitising their operations.”
The website will be updated on a regular basis with news of product launches, key client information and corporate milestones.
• Featured image (SIA Boeing 777-200): Singapore Airlines
