ANA selects OpenJaw Technologies to support its NDC journey and distribution partners will be able to link directly to the carrier’s reservation systems from later this year

17 April, 2019

Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) has selected OpenJaw Technologies to modernise its retailing capabilities and create a New Distribution Capability (NDC) platform. The partnership will enable ANA's distribution partners to link directly into its reservation systems as early as the second half of this year.

Using OpenJaw's t-Retail NDC platform will allow the carrier to connect with multiple distribution partners, personalise fare offers, and provide consumers with a consistent retailing experience across all channels. The platform allows the dynamic bundling of flights, seats, bags, but beyond the airline's own inventory, also allows these to be easily acquired alongside products such as hotels, car hire, lounge access, insurance, transfers, even tickets to attractions or destination tours.

OpenJaw, a subsidiary of TravelSky Technology Limited, the dominant provider of information technology solutions for China's aviation and travel industry, is becoming recognised among the leaders for using technology to change the future of travel retailing. It is an IATA NDC and IATA ONE Order Strategic Partner with Level 3 NDC Certification.

The technology specialist believes that retailing is fuelling a revolution in how travel is purchased and it is using its own expertise to transform travel companies into travel retailers using its platform to bring business differentiation and the creation of an unlimited combination of offers to its customers. At the same time it allows travel companies to retain control of the customer and their behavioural and transactional data, enabling them to deliver a personalised, tailored experience.

Its customer base reads like a list of the world's biggest travel brands. Alongside ANA, existing partners include British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Comair, Iberia, Aeroplan, Loyalty One, Asia Miles, Kulula.com, Shenzhen Airlines, Four Seasons, Avis and Color Line.

ANA's senior vice president Mitsuo Tomita acknowledges NDC "will enhance flexibility and have the potential to improve sales." He adds: "We are planning to integrate the NDC platform in an intuitive way so that ANA will become Japan's NDC leader." The carrier says the solution will "streamline" the booking process and help It in "setting the standard for excellence" in Japan.

A joint statement between ANA and OpenJaw says the new NDC platform will "represent a shift in how ANA tickets will be purchased through distribution partners" and will "set the standard for convenience," while also "delivering wider opportunities for consumers to purchase optional services" such as lounge access. ANA will also provide the latest in-flight seat and service content, allowing passengers to make more informed choices.

The ANA deal continues a meteoric rise for OpenJaw and which saw it announce record revenue for financial year 2018 and a significant increase in gross transaction value. Kieron Branagan, CEO, OpenJaw Technologies says last year was clearly its "most successful year measured across all KPIs".

During the 12 months, the business launched many new platforms and new initiatives which contributed to revenues increasing 18% year-on-year and gross transaction value growing 57% year-on-year and equating to USD5.5 billion of merchandising value processed on behalf of its customers. Hong Kong Airlines, China United Airlines, Chengdu Airlines and Tibet Airlines all went live on its t-Retail Platform in 2018.