Sabre Achieves IATA NDC Level 2 Capability as IT Provider

Sabre Corporation has accelerated the evolution of its distribution and retailing technology by becoming International Air Transport Association (IATA) NDC Level 2 capable as an IT provider.

The achievement comes several months earlier than initially planned, as in October 2017 Sabre had announced intentions to achieve Level 2 status as an IT provider by mid-2018.

“This is an important milestone for Sabre as we continue to execute on our NDC-enabled airline retailing and product distribution strategy,” said Rodrigo Celis, vice president product management at Sabre. “Through our significant direct and indirect channel capabilities, we believe we are uniquely positioned to help unlock the value of personalized retailing with a true end-to-end solution,” he added.

Sabre is also certified as an NDC Level 1 aggregator, with a roadmap to reaching level 3 in 2018.  “This will provide different suppliers with flexible, new ways to connect, retail and distribute their products in the travel marketplace,” the company said.

“We applaud Sabre’s achievement and receipt of NDC Level 2 certification, which represents another important step forward for NDC, and look forward to its Level 3 certification on the aggregator side,” said Yanik Hoyles, NDC program director at IATA.

“As an NDC-capable IT provider, Sabre will now be able to broaden the scope of NDC through its passenger reservations system, and help transform the way air products are sold and merchandised to travel buyers,” he added.

Sabre’s GDS and airline IT solutions already deliver an end-to-end retailing solution that works for both direct and indirect channels from offer creation through to fulfillment. More than 225 airlines, including many of the world’s largest carriers, currently use Sabre’s technology to decrease operational costs, increase profit and transform the way they serve travelers.