Finnair is to end
support for legacy distribution systems based on the Edifact standard and will
fully adopt NDC distribution by the end of 2025. Edifact was introduced in the 1980s to simplify data exchange between companies and has been widely used in travel ever since.
The airline said it
would adopt a series of measures in the European market from July 2022 to
accelerate the change. These include:
- Offering best content through NDC
direct connects, supported by additional incentive packages;
- NDC content only to be distributed
through Finnair certified NDC aggregators (Aaron Group, Travelfusion, Travelsky
and Verteil);
- Removal of the Finnair Light
fare brand from Edifact;
- Introduction of a €12 Edifact surcharge;
- Offering additional fare price points in NDC;
- Offering NDC-exclusive bundles.
Mikko Turtiainen, Finnair’s vice president of global
sales, said: “We
can’t be afraid of change - we need to embrace it – and through NDC-exclusive
content and surcharges ensure we phase out Edifact by end of 2025. Now is the
time to ensure we bring about meaningful change to a sector which has been slow
to respond to changes in technology. We challenge all industry players to join
in the transformation.”
Rogier Van Enk, the
airline’s senior vice president customer engagement, said: “Finnair is committed to investing in modern
customer experience across sales channels. We are leading the way to ensure
widespread adoption of NDC throughout the travel industry to drive essential
change and ensure greater choice for customers also when shopping through
partner agencies.
“At the same time
it will add to the ongoing transformation of the travel sector’s distribution
system and streamline its economic model. Generating
enhanced experience upon customer choice is not the only benefit. NDC will
enable the transformation of largely outdated current commercial
models pervasive throughout the travel sector.”