Amadeus has signed two new partners to its NDC-X program, an initiative focused on practical use cases for the adoption of the New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard. Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) and American Express Global Business Travel (AmEx GBT) have both joined the program, which will allow them to help pilot Amadeus’ new NDC-enabled solution.
As part of the initiative, AmEx GBT will use Amadeus’ NDC-enabled solution to test and familiarize itself with the new NDC flow of “shop, order, pay,” which Amadeus says will help the organization prepare to implement the industrialized version of the solution, which will include servicing capabilities, in 2019. The agreement will also grant AmEx GBT access to NDC content in addition to Amadeus’ GDS content.
CWT will work with Amadeus via the program to connect travel sellers and airlines using the NDC standard.
Announced earlier this year, Amadeus’ NDC-X program brings together all NDC initiatives across the company – as an IT provider and an aggregator. The company reports that it is working with several airlines and travel sellers to drive NDC adoption. Other partners announced this year include Flight Centre Travel Group, Travix and Qantas. The implementation of the program has also seen Amadeus achieve level 3 certification on the latest version of the NDC standard and as an NDC aggregator.
NDC, which was created by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is an XML-based data transmission standard that proponents say will enable travel companies, including airlines and travel agencies, to offer more personalized travel products.
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