BCD Travel has entered into a multi-year agreement with the Lufthansa Group airlines (Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS and Brussels Airlines) that will enable it to pilot booking the airlines’ New Distribution Capability (NDC) content.
Earlier this year, Lufthansa Group and Tourvest Travel Services announced their collaboration on the first NDC-capable Direct Connect solution in this market.
According to BCD, the programme will allow the company to determine whether key components of the NDC process are cost-effective for its customers. Marco Cristofoli, ceo of BCD Travel South Africa, told eTNW that BCD’s participation in the programme would give the SA team access to LH Groups’ NDC content.
Rose Stratford, executive vice president, Global Supplier Relations & Strategic Sourcing at BCD Travel said: “Our decision to test NDC booking technology comes after carefully following the progress of the Lufthansa Group airlines in bringing new technological options to market.”
She added that BCD has always taken a positive position on NDC, committing to support it as long as it benefited clients and improved the traveller experience. “The development of robust and scalable NDC schemes has been slow, but some have now become mature enough to warrant testing,” said Rose.
BCD added that GDSs would continue to play a pivotal role in its booking strategy. Earlier this year, BCD entered into strategic NDC relationships with Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport.
