Together with Amadeus, Kenya Airways is making NDC a reality in Africa

July 21, 2021

Last updated: November 2, 2021

3 Min read

Available in other languages

DE EN

Maher Koubaa

EVP Travel unit and Managing Director, EMEA - Amadeus

Share it!

Some regions of the world have been faster out of the starting blocks to adopt the benefits of IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) than others. So, you might think that COVID-19 would have put a stop to plans for better retailing and personalization through technology such as NDC. But for companies with a clear vision – the opposite is true.

I have noticed how the COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on the need to provide fast, relevant information that is attuned to shifting market requirements. The pause in “business as usual” has enabled forward-looking companies to shape the customer retail experience of the future. That’s why I’m delighted to announce that Kenya Airways has selected Amadeus for its IT and distribution needs in order to make the company’s vision for NDC a reality.

My team in the region, supported by Amadeus professionals from around the globe, are excited to be working together with Kenya Airways to lead the deployment of NDC in Africa. Kenya Airways, for anyone unfamiliar with the company, is a leading African airline and a member of the Sky Team Alliance. Kenya Airways takes pride in being at the forefront of connecting Africa to the world and the world to Africa.

When IATA launched its NDC initiative in 2012, its stated intent was to revolutionize the travel distribution landscape by enhancing travel retailing and defining a new standard. Over the past few years, we’ve seen airlines better control and differentiate their content by creating more dynamic and personalized offers, launch new onboard and on-the-ground service concepts as well as innovative seating and other merchandising options. These developments are designed to enable airlines to stand out in a crowded global marketplace, boosting revenues and equipping them with the means to implement a holistic distribution strategy across sales channels, as part of the retail transformation in travel.

Amadeus understands the need for airlines to reduce the time it takes to bring relevant offers to market, and in doing so, create a strong brand and develop a loyal customer base. That is why we are fully committed to enabling the industrialization of NDC throughout every continent, just as we have been doing inAfrica.

Providing content via NDC within the Amadeus Travel Platform will give Kenya Airways significant reach throughout the global community of travel sellers plus the ability to better tailor the offers being made through the indirect channel. Amadeus travel sellers will be able to see at-a-glance what’s included and easily compare airline offers to present the most relevant ones to their customers. On top of that,Amadeus Altéa NDC gives Kenya Airways enhanced retailing capabilities in all their different sales channels.

As a leading sub-Saharan airline that will launch content via NDC in Africa, I am happy to see the retailing ambition of Kenya Airways now becoming a reality. With NDC, we’re opening a new world of possibilities for the travel industry and the traveler and at the same time unlocking new ways to create value for the airline. As people increasingly think about planning their next trip, it’s exciting to know that an enhanced shopping and booking experience awaits Kenya Airways’ customers in the not-too-distant future.

TO TOP