Corporates and their TMCs using Concur Travel can now ‘turn on’ NDC content from Lufthansa and British Airways, according to SAP Concur.
The company said it has been “working diligently” with Lufthansa Group airlines using Smart Offer, BA, Travelfusion, Farelogix and several TMCs to create NDC connectivity.
When clients enable NDC content, SAP Concur said they will avoid carrier-imposed GDS distribution cost charges – currently £14 per leg on Lufthansa Group airlines and £9 per leg on BA and Iberia. It will also ensure companies have access to fares that are not available in the GDSs, such as Lufthansa’s lowest fares, which can only be booked direct or via an NDC-enabled channel.
In addition, customers who use the Concur TripLink product can access BA’s lower fares and additional content available through the airline’s website whilst maintaining support for travel policies, accessing negotiated discounts, fulfilling duty of care obligations and having the information automatically integrated.
Lufthansa’s integration with TripLink will be live in Q4 of this year, which will enable corporates to access the NDC Smart Offer either in the Concur booking tool or directly on the airline’s website, including fares from Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Swiss International Airlines.
Xavier Lagardere, head of distribution for Lufthansa Group Hub Airlines, commented: “Both SAP Concur and we are committed to delivering innovative travel solutions. With our combined technology and the direct interface via Concur Travel to all Lufthansa Group airlines and Concur TripLink to Lufthansa.com, we believe in our joint ability to enhance the end-to-end experience of our product innovations for all partners in the value chain.”
Ian Luck, head of distribution at BA, added: “Our TripLink connection went live in April 2018, and we are delighted that the NDC connection will now also be available to all Concur Travel customers and their TMCs. Our aim is to give our customers choice and offer multiple options to purchase British Airways flights and products in a way that best suits their needs, while also providing access to new fares and products that are enabled by our NDC capability.”
concur.co.uk; ba.com; lufthansagroup.com