Travelport and Air France-KLM Reach Agreement on NDC Distribution

Travelport, a global technology company that powers travel bookings for hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotels worldwide, on Wednesday announced it has reached a commercial agreement on NDC distribution with Air France-KLM.

The agreement will enable the distribution of the airline group’s NDC content via Travelport+, Travelport’s next-generation content distribution and travel retailing platform.

“This is an important step in our distribution strategy, complementing our existing NDC distribution network,” Air France-KLM Chief Revenue Officer Pieter Bootsma said.

Agents that sign an access agreement with Air France-KLM will be able to access its NDC content and services through Travelport+ in an integrated agent workflow: via the agency point-of-sale Smartpoint, or through modern and lightweight API connections.“NDC is a key innovation for Air France-KLM as it allows our customers to benefit from more attractive and customized offers, such as continuous pricing and tailor-made bundles. It is an outstanding technological step opening up brand new retailing perspectives in the future,” Bootsma added.

Jason Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer – Travel Partners at Travelport, said the deal will maximize value for both Air France-KLM and Travelport’s global community of travel agencies, particularly those with a higher level of servicing needs.

“We are enhancing our longstanding partnership with Air France-KLM and are pleased to be able to offer the airline group’s differentiated NDC content alongside its traditional content to our customers. Travelport+ is purpose built as a next-generation modern travel retailing platform, so we’re delighted Air France-KLM has recognized the value its partnership with Travelport can continue to bring,” he added.

NDC content will be rolled out from early 2022, with features and functionality to be added progressively.