Skyscanner becomes first travel search engine to join NDC Exchange

Skyscanner has joined NDC Exchange, an industry-owned marketplace created by ATPCO and SITA to facilitate adoption of IATA’s New Distribution Capability.

The platform enables API connectivity between airlines and travel sellers, allowing them to exchange messages easily and cost-effectively. NDC Exchange supports shopping, booking and servicing workflows and enables the cross-selling of ancillary services among airlines and between airlines and travel sellers.

Once connected to NDC Exchange, airlines have access to all connected travel sellers, and those travel sellers have access to all connected airlines.

Skyscanner added direct booking to its platform in November 2015.

“We are delighted to have joined NDC Exchange and are sure that the platform will bring many benefits to our partners, providing a consistent product offering across the entire travel distribution ecosystem,” says Hugh Aitken, senior commercial director of Skyscanner.

“We want to bring airline products on Skyscanner’s site as close to the direct experience as possible, with carriers controlling their products and brand while benefiting from our traffic, and audience, across a range of devices.”

Earlier this month, British Airways, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines became part of NDC Exchange, joining Air Canada, Finnair and LATAM Group.

Technology suppliers participating in NDC Exchange include Atriis Technologies, Serko, Verteil Technologies, INNfinity, Kognitiv and Voyages Encore Travel.

“We are working very closely with airlines, distributors and agencies of all sizes to help them progress their NDC solutions while respecting their business processes,” says Graham Wareham, director of distribution portfolio for ATPCO.

“NDC Exchange is a unique industry platform that allows airlines and sellers to integrate NDC into their business at the pace that best suits their business needs.”