FCM to partner with Sabre for launch of NDC initiative
FCM has been named as a launch partner for global technology provider Sabre’s collaborative New Distribution Capability initiative, “Beyond NDC”.
NDC is a travel industry-supported programme from International Airline Passenger Association (IATA) for the development and adoption of a new, XML-based data transmission standard.
Marcus Eklund, Global Managing Director at FCM, said: “We believe IATA’s New Distribution Capability will play an increasing role in travel distribution. Our priority is to ensure that our customers benefit positively from the opportunities it presents through collaboration with our GDS partners and continued investment in our technology offering.”
NDC is set to revolutionise the travel industry, enhancing communications between airlines and travel agents, and evolving travel distribution and merchandising prospects.
FCM will take the lead in driving development of technology to book IATA’s NDC airline content in the corporate sector around the globe, collaborating with Sabre during the solution design process, integration and testing of an end-to-end NDC product that meets customer needs.
Eklund added: “Many of our competitors seem to be taking a short-term view in terms of integrating NDC content, whereas our strategy is much broader. Our aim is to drive the NDC roadmap globally over the next 12 months and take the lead in working with our GDS technology partners at Amadeus and Sabre, to design an NDC-enabled booking solution that is best suited to our customers in each region.”
Meanwhile in EMEA and Asia, as announced in March 2018, FCM was the first travel management company to partner with Amadeus in development of the technology provider’s NDC-X Program.
FCM is already working closely with key airline suppliers to test integration of NDC content in Amadeus’ Selling Platform Connect solution. This will enable FCM’s business travel consultants to access an even richer choice of fares and NDC content in an already familiar technology environment, personalising the booking experience for their clients.
Additionally, FCM Travel Solutions’ progressive new online booking tool SEEQA, launched in EMEA in February this year, has been developed by partnering with Amadeus.
SEEQA is built on Amadeus’ cytric travel and expense tool, enabling FCM to develop an exclusive roadmap for additional bespoke functionality as it aggregates Amadeus’ broad range of content from different sources, as well as FCM’s proprietary content.
“We have been asked frequently if we are afraid of NDC. But the answer is ‘No’. We see great opportunities and are proud to be on this journey with Amadeus and Sabre in defining how NDC becomes a reality in the corporate travel sector,” summed up Eklund.