What's Next For NDC: Content Investment And Innovation

NDC was one of the most heated phrases in the business travel sector until COVID-19 changed everything.

In fact, the eerie quietness that has fallen upon the theme of the NDC technology standard over the past 18 months has led many to speculate that investment in new distribution capability has slowed and been heavily impacted by revenues falling off a cliff in the aviation sector.

But quiet storms should never be disregarded.

Like many businesses, airlines have used the pandemic to test, trial and introduce fundamental changes that would be tricky when everything is business as usual.

Similarly, travel management companies (TMCs) have reviewed how different booking platforms work for them and made plans for areas of focus as travel resumes.

What is clear is that there is no one size fits all. NDC does not completely replace the GDSs, and neither does it fundamentally alter how corporates, TMCs and airlines work together.