Airline NDC integration varies, creating challenges for agencies

10-07-23

NDC implementation would be smoother and travel advisors would encounter fewer servicing challenges if airlines adhered more closely to IATA's programming standards, the airline trade group says.

And, IATA says, servicing, merchandising and other NDC capabilities will improve sharply as more airlines are certified in its most recent NDC standard, called 21.3. 

As airline NDC deployments have ratcheted up in recent months, travel advisors have chafed about challenges to servicing tickets purchased via NDC-enabled connections, including handling relatively ordinary tasks such as schedule changes and exchanges. Back-office processing and settlement are among other sticking points.