IATA launches web-based tool NDC Matchmaker

August 5, 2019: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is set to premiere the NDC Matchmaker at the Global Business Travel Association 2019 Convention in Chicago. The convention is being held from August 3-7, 2019.

The NDC Matchmaker is a free web-based tool to bring more visibility to travel distribution stakeholders that are collaborating on implementations of the New Distribution Capability (NDC). IATA’s Travel Manager Advisory Group (TMAG) came up with the concept.

The NDC Matchmaker enables airlines, travel sellers and content aggregators (such as global distribution systems) to search, compare and connect with NDC partners. It increases transparency of their NDC capabilities and facilitates cooperation among different participants in the travel value chain that are engaged in their own journeys to airline industry retailing.

Yanik Hoyles, director, industry distribution programs, IATA said, “The NDC Matchmaker responds to corporate travel buyers’ need to have greater insight into airlines, travel sellers and aggregators participating in the NDC space. It is also about companies being able to be showcased through a user-friendly tool. The more companies that use it, the more benefits it will create for the travel value chain.”

The NDC Matchmaker already includes more than 80 NDC connections between airlines and their travel seller partners. Participants can display their NDC content and partnerships and be searched by category as airlines/sellers/aggregators; by type of products and services available; or by country.

“The NDC Matchmaker will bring greater transparency to the marketplace and will help corporate buyers to understand which airlines are offering NDC content through their partners,” said Claudia Adams, chair of the European TMAG.