Amex GBT sign Amadeus’ NDC-X programme

Amadeus IT Group has announced that the travel management company, American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), will join to help pilot its NDC-X programme.

Amadeus, an IT provider and aggregator for the travel industry, works with several airlines and travel sellers to drive the adoption of NDC (New Distribution Capability) across the industry. Its NDC-X programme brings together all NDC initiatives, and it was announced that American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) will help pilot the solution as preparation for full adoption. The pilot will allow the testing of the new technology – to see how the workflow and processes respond to the new environment.

“A great milestone as we prepare for global deployment next year”

Gianni Pisanello, VP, NDC-X programme, Amadeus, said: “Collaboration is key to ensure NDC works for the industry and benefits all players, including the traveller. Having an innovative and customer service driven partner like American Express GBT to join our NDC-X program and work with our NDC-enabled solution is a great milestone as we prepare for global deployment next year.”

To test and familiarise itself with the NDC flow “shop, order, and pay” the global business partner for managed travel will use the programme to prepare itself to implement the industrialised version of the solution, including servicing capabilities in 2019.

Under the agreement, American Express GBT will have access to NDC content in addition to Amadeus’ extensive travel content available in the global distribution system.

“Cost efficiency and service quality are always going to be among our top priorities”

“By working with Amadeus, we already have access to a broad array of travel content. Now with NDC, we’ll be able to offer even more to our clients. This content will be available through all points of sale, whether digital self-service or agent tools,” said Michael Qualantone, executive vice president of global supplier relations for American Express Global Business Travel.

“No matter how the industry evolves, cost efficiency and service quality are always going to be among our top priorities, and working on the NDC-X program with Amadeus, our longstanding distribution partner, enables us to achieve this.”

The NDC-X programme was launched in February this year to drive the industrialisation of NDC and ensure its success for all travel players. It’s a continuation of Amadeus’ work towards the digitalisation of the industry.