Amadeus Achieves Level 3 Certification on Latest NDC Standard

Amadeus, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry, has renewed its Level 3 certification on the latest version of the new Distribution Capability Standard (NDC), Altea 18.1.

According to an announcement, Amadeus is the first to achieve Level 3 certification on the new version, which was released in March.

What’s different about version 18.1 is that it is generated based on the new aviation industry data model, which the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has been working on with Amadeus and other industry partners. This new data model aims to provide a consistent industry repository and methodology to help define the use and structure of new and existing standards. This will support the deployment and industrialization of new standards, such as NDC.

“We’ve been working hand in hand with IATA and other industry partners to test and improve this latest version of the standard, which will help to drive industrialization and adoption. Version 18.1 and the new data model means that NDC messages between airlines and third parties – whether aggregators, travel sellers or corporations – now have a more defined structure,” said Gianni Pisanello, vice president for the Amadeus NDC-X program.

Since 2016, IATA has had a certification process in place for the NDC standard, for the different industry stakeholders to show their capability to support NDC messaging.

“We are pleased to be the first company to be certified on the 18.1 version, as proof of our ongoing partnership with IATA and our commitment to making NDC work for the industry,” Pisanello added.

Amadeus’certification follows on from the previous level 3 certification as an IT provider and level 1 certification as an aggregator in 2016 and 2017. Amadeus is also on track to achieve level 3 certification as an aggregator later this year.