Travelport has become certified as a Level 1 aggregator and
Level 2 IT provider for IATA's New Distribution Capability (NDC).
NDC is an XML-based data standard that IATA says will enable
airlines to personalize offers and sell all of their products through travel
agencies. Certification confirms an organization's ability to send and receive
NDC messages.
Travelport's designation means it is ready to integrate with
airlines that are using NDC, and can offer travel agencies using its Travel
Commerce Platform enhanced content and better access to ancillaries.
"In particular, Travelport-connected agents will be
able to make ancillary sales post the original flight booking, and through
their preferred agency workflows, for the first time," Travelport said in
a statement.
Travelport is a member of various committees focused on NDC
development.
"We know the industry needs to transform the way
flights are sold and IATA's NDC is an important part of this," said Ian
Heywood, Travelport's global head of product and marketing, air commerce.