Rotana Jet became the first airline in the Middle East and Africa in late October to deliver live transaction using IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard. Rotana Jet became the first airline to achieve the NDC live deployment with the first publication of the latest NDC standard.
NDC is a travel industry-supported program launched by IATA for the development and market adoption of a new, XML-based data transmission standard that is intended to enhance communications between airlines and travel agents.Commenting on the announcement, Tony Tyler, director general and chief executive officer (CEO) of International Air Transport Association (IATA), says, 'I am delighted that Rotana Jet has become the first airline in the region to deliver live NDC transactions. It proves that there is no barrier to any airline taking advantage of this new initiative. The leadership of H.H. Dr Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan has been crucial for recognising the value of NDC, which will spark even greater innovation and competition within the airline sector. And with their burgeoning reputation for service quality, I am sure many more Middle Eastern carriers will soon be joining Rotana Jet in offering this new air travel purchasing experience to their customers.'George Ibrahim, CEO of Rotana Jet, says: 'We are glad to be the first airline in Middle East and Africa to go live with IATA NDC with the first publication of the latest NDC standard. As Rotana Jet develops bundled and unbundled offers, the travel community needs to be able to shop and compare the value of these options for their customers, just as they do when they shop online for any consumer items or walk-in to any retail shops. IATA NDC gives us the ability through the development of a modern, internet-based data standard for communications between Rotana Jet and the travel agents. 'With a complete deployment of NDC standard into our distribution system air travellers will benefit from greater transparency and access to all our offerings when shopping via a travel agent or any of the online travel agencies. 'The deployment of NDC live with the first publication is the initial phase of our NDC journey with a roadmap to cover end to end in the coming months including reporting to BSP, interlining and TypeB messaging to the DCS. Rotana Jet’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 such as hotels, cars, activities etc, which will simplify the travel experience of customers.' Asian Gulf Travels with over 80 branches in UAE and Oman, and TPConnects, a travel technology provider, were part of the IATA NDC journey with Rotana Jet.*************************************************************************************************************************************Consumers welcome NDC
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the results of a study of air travellers showing that passengers would welcome the richer travel shopping experience that will be enabled by the New Distribution Capability (NDC).
Study participants were shown examples of how the NDC standard can be used to support an improved experience when shopping for air travel online. This includes providing consumers with more information about airline product and service options, showing product images and enabling comparison shopping among airlines. Highlights of the findings include:• More than 75 per cent of air travellers said the NDC-based display would make it easier to compare flights and prices and understand the true cost of their flight, compared to how they shop and book travel online today • More than 70 per cent of business fliers and 65 per cent of leisure travellers would be more likely to purchase optional airline services if presented with information about the services in an NDC-based display• Sixty-three per cent of business travellers and 69 per cent of leisure travellers would find it helpful to receive timely promotional offers via text message • 68 per cent of business passengers and 64 per cent of leisure passengers would be comfortable with an airline or travel agent informing them about the availability of optional products based on previous purchase data