Air France-KLM and Sabre Corporation have announced the finalization of a multi-year strategic distribution agreement for New Distribution Capability (NDC) and the renewal of the existing EDIFACT agreement. The partnership between the two companies has been expanded to include NDC offerings, which will be marketed and sold alongside EDIFACT content through Sabre’s global distribution system (GDS).
Air France-KLM’s NDC offerings will be distributed to Sabre-connected travel agencies in multiple phases over the next year. This agreement demonstrates Sabre’s continued commitment to promoting value and serving the diverse interests of various stakeholders in the global travel market. It helps agencies to efficiently purchase and compare increasingly sophisticated offerings, while their travelers will benefit from an enhanced experience with greater choice and transparency. Additionally, it allows Air France and KLM to distribute their personalized NDC offerings, including consistent pricing and tailor-made packages, to Sabre’s global network of connected agencies.
“The choice of the right travel technology partners to collaborate with is crucial. That is why we are pleased to expand our cooperation with Sabre. This will help our partner travel agents distribute Air France-KLM’s enriched and engaging NDC offering, providing travelers with a wider range of options to enhance their journey from start to finish,” said Angus Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer of Air France-KLM.
“Our partnership with Air France-KLM reflects our commitment to selling modern retail travel and represents a significant step forward for our presence in Europe,” added Roshan Mendis, Chief Commercial Officer of Sabre Travel Solutions. “From the beginning, Sabre has been committed to going beyond NDC to contribute to the building of a more efficient and personalized travel ecosystem that meets the dynamic needs of today’s travelers. We are excited to offer our customers enhanced EDIFACT and NDC content during the transition to a new world of Offers and Orders.”
Overall, this agreement between Air France-KLM and Sabre Corporation allows for the distribution of enriched NDC offerings alongside existing EDIFACT content through Sabre’s GDS. This partnership aims to meet the evolving needs of travelers, provide travel agencies with more sophisticated options, and contribute to the development of a more efficient and personalized travel ecosystem.