Given the current fast-evolving online travel environment, the conventional airline distribution facilities cannot keep pace with the current consumers' expectations. To bridge these gaps, the industry is increasingly turning to New Distribution Capabilities (NDC)—the groundbreaking standard introduced by IATA. While the airlines make the change, innovations such as OpenNDC are at the forefront in the provision of innovative, responsive, and flexible NDC capabilities.
This post discusses the background of NDC, its strategic value, and why OpenNDC is leading the development of the next generation in airline technology.
What are New Distribution Capabilities (NDC)?
New Distribution Capability, also known as NDC, is an XML standard for data messaging based on IATA that is geared towards updating air product distribution to the present day. With NDC, airlines are able to provide more transparent fares, customized offers, and rich content directly to their distribution partners and customers.
Unlike other systems, NDC allows airlines to become digital retailers by giving them full control of their inventory, pricing, and brand presentation—irrespective of channel. Technically intricate to deploy, however, which is the reason airlines need robust, future-proof platforms like OpenNDC.
What Is OpenNDC?
OpenNDC is a robust airline travel technology solution that has been created in a bid to help airlines efficiently manage NDC-compliant distribution. From establishing tailored offers through to managing the entire order life cycle, OpenNDC is a centralized engine that streamlines and automates how airlines distribute their services to multiple digital touchpoints.
OpenNDC is not just another middleware; it is a strategic enabler of future-proof airline operations and revenue management in the New Distribution Capability era.
OpenNDC Is the Future of Airline Tech
Here are reasons OpenNDC is not just NDC-compliant, but also the future of airline distribution technology:
1. Built for Speed and Scale
OpenNDC facilitates simple integration with current airline systems, minimizing the time and cost of implementation. As an international copyright or a regional airline, the platform accommodates your size and degree of complexity in operations.
2. Real-Time Dynamic Offers
OpenNDC facilitates real-time dynamic offer generation by considering customer preference, purchase history, context, and availability. This will enhance conversion rates as well as optimize shopping for travel.
3. Full Offer and Order Management
With OpenNDC, the airlines have end-to-end control over the customer experience—offer creation and booking to payment and servicing. It supports changes in tickets, refunds, ancillaries, and loyalty programs without any hassle.
4. API-First and Cloud-Ready
Since it is built on a microservices architecture, OpenNDC is cloud-native and API-first. This provides high availability, rapid deployments, and integration flexibility with booking engines, PSS, CRM systems, and so on.
5. Alignment with Changing NDC Requirements
While IATA develops the NDC schema further, OpenNDC follows along. Airlines can be assured that their architecture is current with industry and customer expectations and requirements.
How OpenNDC Sees Major Market Issues
A main strength of OpenNDC is seeing and resolving genuine issues airlines encounter when they adopt NDC:
Disconnected Distribution: OpenNDC integrates content distribution on various platforms.
Slow Response Times: Real-time offer creation and servicing significantly enhance response times and productivity.
Lack of Personalization: OpenNDC enables airlines to build personalized offers with enhanced conversion rates through intelligent data processing.
Integration Complexity: Modular structure supports extensibility with new and legacy systems without modifying core architecture.
By addressing these concerns, OpenNDC optimizes airlines' return on NDC investment.
Why OpenNDC?
Airlines utilizing OpenNDC achieve benefits such as:
Faster time to market
End-to-end offer/order lifecycle management
Increased personalization capability
Data-driven decision-making
Lower operational costs
Full brand and pricing control
OpenNDC isn't just a technical solution—it's also a strategic differentiator that sets airlines up for success in the digital-first travel marketplace.
Conclusion
As aviation moves toward richer, more interactive shopping experiences, New Distribution Capabilities (NDC) will be the standard—not the exception. In this new world, OpenNDC is a mandatory enabler for airlines who want speed, control, and innovation in distribution.
From its seamless integrations to real-time personalization, OpenNDC delivers unmatched value for airlines ready to lead in the digital economy. If you’re exploring NDC or already on the path, OpenNDC is the future-proof partner that helps your airline take flight.