Travelport to launch first NDC API product this quarter

Gordon Wilson, the President and CEO of Travelport, highlighted the developments in technology shaping the travel industry. Speaking in Atlanta at The Beat Live, Wilson spoke about how indirect channels are embracing IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) API. He announced that Travelport is on schedule to launch its first version of this capability into a production environment this quarter. He expressed caution about NDC on issues such as the relative speed of response compared to the fast and accurate response times provided today in the indirect channel and the different interpretations among airlines of the NDC API. This, he said, could push up the cost to serve and time to implement. Wilson cited the progress already made in enabling airlines to merchandise their content to travel agency and corporate travel channels, the speed at which new airline products can be introduced, and the capabilities allowing airlines to make personalised or tailored offers.