Amadeus launches NDC-enabled Selling Platform Connect

Amadeus announces today that Selling Platform Connect, its cloud-based booking platform, now allows travel sellers to shop, order, pay and service airline travel offers via an NDC connectivity. 

A main advantage for travel sellers is that they can now view and compare all available airline flights and related services for any given trip on one single screen, whether they are sourced from EDIFACT, NDC or other APIs. It’s the first time travel sellers can access such a full range of air content all in one place, making it easier for them to compare offers and help their customers to find the best value.

As customer service is a top priority for all travel sellers, this new NDC-enabled version of Selling Platform Connect also allows for the servicing of NDC bookings. Travel sellers can cancel or change flights that have been booked via an NDC connectivity. In addition, “involuntary changes”, or changes made by airlines to existing bookings, will continue to be handled by the queue mechanism, which travel agents are already familiar with. 

All of these features, as well as the new graphical interface, were designed and tested in close collaboration with Amadeus customers through the NDC [X] program. 

"Our objective is two-fold: by integrating NDC into Selling Platform Connect, we’re enabling airlines to better differentiate their offers and drive adoption of their NDC content, while also helping travel sellers to continue to work in their preferred environment. Our solution provides our network of travel sellers with new NDC sourced content alongside existing content – all on one screen,” says Gianni Pisanello, VP of Amadeus NDC [X].

As a driver customer for this NDC-enabled version of Selling Platform Connect, Flight Centre Travel Group and its global business travel division FCM Travel Solutions were closely involved throughout the entire development process. Flight Centre and FCM’s feedback on the user experience, including the look and feel, as well as search, booking and servicing capabilities, all helped to define the solution. 

Nicola Ping, Manager, Air Content & Distribution EMEA, Flight Centre/FCM commented: “It has been very rewarding for Flight Centre and FCM to collaborate with Amadeus as a driver customer in the NDC [X] program and help drive the NDC roadmap not just for ourselves, but the TMC and retail travel agency sectors in general. The partnership has been very successful as we could test the NDC enabled user interface in Selling Platform Connect in both leisure and business travel environments and provide valuable feedback to Amadeus which shaped the final design. It was also exciting to reach a major milestone in August when our consultants began booking and servicing NDC content in the new Amadeus solution.

“This latest version of Selling Platform Connect provides a great balance for us. While it gives our consultants access to NDC content, it doesn’t cause any disruptions to their typical business processes as they are still booking in a familiar technology environment,” continued Ping. “It simply gives us access to more options—all in one place—to personalize the booking experience for our customers and ensure they benefit positively from the opportunities that NDC presents.” 

In September, Amadeus became dual-certified on NDC Level 4, after receiving certification as an NDC distributor from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This latest achievement followed on from Amadeus’ Level 4 NDC certification as an IT provider in May earlier this year. While Level 3 NDC certification is about the prime booking flow, Level 4 focuses more on the servicing capabilities, a critical factor in ensuring travel agency adoption. 

The NDC-enabled version of Selling Platform Connect is currently being used by several key partners in the NDC [X] program. Gradual deployment will start over the coming months, while the solution continues to be improved with further content and functionalities.

For more information about what Amadeus is doing to drive the adoption of NDC across the industry, please see our latest blog post and infographic, and our NDC homepage.