IATA director general and CEO defends NDC against criticism

IATA director general and CEO defended the association's New Distribution Capability (NDC), stating some of the opponents to the system were "not telling the truth" and that the NDC will not bypass travel agents, end comparison shopping or contravene privacy laws (Travel Weekly, 04-Jun-2013). Instead NDC will provide "the opportunity for customers to identify themselves to have their loyalty recognised by travel agents". The new distribution system will enable travel agents "to sell all of what airlines have on offer," according to Mr Tyler, as well as supporting photographic product descriptions so that passengers are able to view what they are buying. The NDC will also enable passengers to compare base fare as well as the cost of all the options that are available. Airlines and other industry stakeholders are free to adopt or reject the NDC and IATA plans to continue to support the legacy standard while demand for it exists. IATA members passed a resolution supporting NDC at the association's annual general meeting this week.

IATA: "Consumers want to be able to buy air travel products in the same way that they purchase other goods with full access to product information, the ability to comparison-shop and to see the full value of the offer. And we want our travel agent partners to be able to offer it. NDC will allow this to happen," Tony Tyler, director general and CEO. Source: Travel Weekly, 04-Jun-2013.