Southwest Airlines has joined NDC Exchange,
the airline product marketplace operated by ATPCO and SITA.
NDC Exchange enables API connectivity between airlines and
sellers using IATA's NDC, which saves travel agencies from having to establish
direct connections with airlines if they want to work outside GDSs. It also
allows cross-selling of ancillaries between airlines.
"By partnering with NDC Exchange, we are making our API
more accessible," Rob Brown, senior director of B2B strategy at Southwest,
said in a statement. "This new addition to our no-cost multichannel
distribution portfolio will drive consistency while providing the necessary
functionality needed to support our business customers."
Southwest joins a number of other airlines
that are part of NDC Exchange, including Air Canada, Delta, United, British
Airways, Finnair and LATAM.