BCD Travel has achieved Level 3 certification for the International Air Transport Association's New Distribution Capability standard, meaning it is capable of managing offers and orders to and from airlines under the transmission standard.
The travel management company said the certification was "the latest step in its drive to deliver the benefits of NDC to clients." Other BCD steps have included its NDC agreement with Lufthansa Group; private channel agreements with British Airways-Iberia, Qantas and Air France-KLM; and participation in Amadeus', Sabre's and Travelport's NDC programs.
A BCD spokesperson said it does not plan additional direct connect projects at the moment and that global distribution systems are "the most efficient and effective way forward" for NDC. "We're committed to continuing to source the content that's relevant to our clients' programs, but NDC isn't a one-and-done project for BCD or any other party in the distribution chain," BCD SVP of distribution strategy Thane Jackson said. "Significant steps have been taken toward providing content via NDC connectivity at scale, but challenges and limitations remain in addressing the multiple integration points, including third-party online booking tools, reporting and duty of care requirements of complex corporate travel."
Other TMCs and travel sellers certified at Level 3 include Corporate Travel Management, Serko, TripActions, WTMC and HRG, which now is owned by American Express Global Business Travel.