American Express GBT Joins Amadeus NDC-X Program

Travel technology company Amadeus announced on August 7, 2018, that American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) will join its NDC-X program. The travel management partner will pilot Amadeus' new NDC (New Distribution Capability)-enabled solution.

The NDC-X program is designed to drive and pilot new distribution channels within the travel industry. GBT will use the solution to test and familiarize itself with the new 'shop, order, pay' workflow under the NDC standard. This is expected to prepare GBT for the implementation of the industrialized version of the solution, which will include servicing capabilities, in 2019.

This agreement grants American Express GBT access to NDC content in addition to the extensive travel content available in Amadeus' global distribution system (GDS). "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," said Michael Qualantone, Executive Vice President of Global Supplier Relations for American Express Global Business Travel. "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."

Amadeus' NDC-X program consolidates all of the company's NDC initiatives. Amadeus is collaborating with several airlines and travel sellers to drive the adoption of NDC across the industry. "Collaboration is key to ensure NDC works for the industry, and benefits all players, including the traveler," commented Gianni Pisanello, VP of the NDC-X program at Amadeus.