Sabre to Offer NDC-enabled Solutions in 2018

Sabre Corporation this year plans to launch new service-enabled APIs (application program interfaces) and enhanced capabilities in the Sabre Red Workspace that will allow customers to shop and book NDC (New Distribution Capability) content alongside traditional content.

To prepare for this functionality, the company is already working closely with customers including Flight Centre Travel Group, one of the world’s largest travel agency groups, and Sabre expects to begin a pilot program with additional agency and airline customers in the third quarter this year.

“Intelligent retailing that leverages Sabre’s data, depth and industry leadership will bring value to airlines and agencies, and customers will have the ability to offer personalized shopping experiences similar to world-class retailers in other industries,” the company said in an announcement.

Aiming to achieve several critical milestones on its journey to offer NDC-enabled solutions by the end of the year, Sabre has announced its “Beyond NDC” initiative, which extends far beyond the upcoming introduction of its API.

In the fourth quarter Sabre will bring to market the industry’s first Digital Airline Commercial Platform, marking a major advancement in the capabilities airlines will have to seamlessly leverage data-driven insights to dynamically and intelligently market their services, fulfill across all channels, and deliver a personalized customer experience. More advanced capabilities will follow in 2019, including NDC-enabled offer and order management, giving its airline customers a competitive edge to truly differentiate their offerings.

Kathy Morgan, Sabre vice president of strategic initiatives, leads Sabre’s company-wide effort to invest Beyond NDC across its retailing, distribution and fulfillment solutions. Her team is also looking past the near-term goals of NDC to define the future of intelligent airline retailing in both direct and indirect channels.

In October last year, CEO Sean Menke publicly outlined Sabre’s position on NDC and the company’s drive to lead an industry evolution. Since then, Sabre achieved NDC Level 3 capability as an I.T. provider in February 2018 and has committed to Level 3 certification as an aggregator in 2018, in order to complement its current airline I.T. capabilities.