The arrival of New Distribution Capability (NDC) is transforming the airline industry. As carriers want more control, visibility, and personalization in distribution, they're leveraging strong platforms like OpenNDC to effect this transformation. But what's behind OpenNDC's success? In this blog, we demystify how OpenNDC operates, the architecture of its NDC-driven strategy, and why it's the solution that airlines need in their distribution today.
Learning about the NDC Revolution
Prior to initiating OpenNDC, it is necessary to know the history of Knowledge New Distribution Capability. NDC, an XML standard, was created by IATA to enable airlines to provide richer content and customized offers directly to travel sellers and consumers. It supplants traditional systems that restrict product customization and exchange of real-time data.
To airlines, NDC adoption is not a technological upgrade—it's a strategic path to new-generation retailing. It can be challenging to implement, however, without having the proper tools. That's why there's OpenNDC.
What Is OpenNDC?
OpenNDC is a travel technology solution to enable NDC revolution for airlines. It provides an end-to-end architecture for airlines to author, manage, and deliver content through NDC-compliant channels without depending on legacy or restrictive systems.
The greatest strength of the platform lies in its agility and real-time capability, and it enables airlines to make it simpler for airlines to have control over offers, prices, and customer engagements.
How OpenNDC Functions: Fundamental Architecture Depicted
Here's a breakdown of how OpenNDC functions and the robust modules that drive its capabilities:
1. Offer Management Engine
Through OpenNDC, airlines can create dynamic offers by passenger type, booking context, and current demand in real-time. It makes it easy to price in real-time, bundle fares, and package ancillary services—all NDC-compliant.
2. Order Management System
Once accepted, OpenNDC manages end-to-end life of the order—from ticketing and delivery to booking and payment. It deals with full order servicing, cancellations, changes, and refunding.
3. Seamless API Integration
OpenNDC provides a strong set of APIs that can be interfaced seamlessly with Passenger Service Systems (PSS), payment gateways, internet booking engines, and NDC-compliant front ends. It can also be interfaced with third-party systems such as CRM and loyalty schemes.
4. Analytics and Reporting
Intelligent dashboards combined enable airlines to track performance, conversion rate, offer success, and customer behavior. Such information support optimization of distribution strategy and inventory.
5. Scalability and Compliance
OpenNDC strictly adheres to the IATA's NDC schemas and is scalable with evolving standards. The airlines can avail themselves of the opportunity of customizing the platform according to their unique business model, route network, and commercial objectives.
Why OpenNDC for Your Airline?
Below are the most compelling reasons for selecting OpenNDC as a smart decision for airlines:
Fast Deployment: Deploy your NDC-ready distribution in weeks, not months.
Ownership of Content: Retain ownership of product offers, images, price rules, and ancillaries.
Cost-Savvy: Cut infrastructure investment costs and legacy system maintenance headaches.
Better Personalization: Display dynamic, passenger-focused offers that drive conversion.
Global Reach: Publish content anywhere globally on direct and indirect channels without compromise.
OpenNDC enables airlines to at last unlock the full potential of NDC and provide customer experiences retail-like across all booking channels.
How OpenNDC Tackles Major Market Challenges
The air transport sector is afflicted with recurring pain points that are slowing down digital transformation. OpenNDC recognises significant market challenges and tackles them head-on:
Data Fragmentation: OpenNDC brings together booking, order, and customer data to support better decision-making.
Slow Integration: Its modular API-first architecture allows seamless integration with new and existing systems.
Lack of Flexibility: Airlines can easily create tailored pricing deals and distribution without vendor lock-in.
Offer Distribution Inefficiencies: OpenNDC ensures uniform, real-time offer distribution through all channels.
Conclusion
For carriers that are deploying New Distribution Capability, a good partner is needed. OpenNDC not only simplifies the technical intricacies of NDC integration but provides airlines with the capability to own their retail experience.
Knowing how OpenNDC operates, its intrinsic layers for smooth functioning, and its means to identify and correct distribution issues makes it obvious why carriers in such large numbers are embracing this solution.
OpenNDC isn't software—it's the platform for smarter, faster, and more personalized airline distribution in the NDC era.