The NDC platform is a travel industry-supported programme by International Air Transport Association (IATA)
SriLankan Airlines’ new feature SriLankan Direct Connect will enable travel agents with convenient direct access to the airline’s reservation system and an array of other benefits. The NDC platform is a travel industry-supported programme by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that sets the pace to digitally transform the journey for airline distribution.
Richard Nuttall
In a press statement, SriLankan says that adopting the technology via SriLankan Direct Connect will allow SriLankan Airlines to form a powerful, direct retail and communication channel with agents and bypass traditional, intermediary global distribution systems to provide richer content, ancillary services and personalised offers.
It adds that agents who register for SriLankan Direct Connect will have access to private fares, lowest fares, fare families and other promotional fares, ancillary products, free date changes and an incentive scheme for flown segments among other exclusive benefits.
“We are excited to become one of the first airlines in South Asia to introduce IATA’s NDC technology and enhance the overall booking experience for our agents. SriLankan Direct Connect is an intuitive application that will strengthen our direct distribution channel and bring value to travel agents and empower them to provide a superior service to our passengers,” says Richard Nuttall, Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines.
Dimuthu Tennakoon
“The launch of SriLankan Direct Connect is a milestone moment, qualifying SriLankan Airlines for the prestigious Airline Retailing Maturity Certification by IATA. SriLankan Direct Connect will help us expand our distribution network and optimise savings and efficiency and transform the way in which we do business all at the same time,” says Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Worldwide Sales and Distribution of SriLankan Airlines.
SriLankan Airlines says that after the global kick-off in India, it will progressively extend the reach of SriLankan Direct Connect, that was first launched in Sri Lanka in August 2023.
