The new, Amadeus-endorsed model for airline distribution with International Airlines Group may or may not take hold among more travel management companies or even other GDSs. For now, it's constructive to review the role of IATA's New Distribution Capability. When IAG announced a GDS surcharge in May, NDC was the industry's ticket to fee-free British Airways and Iberia tickets. Things look different now.
American Express Global Business Travel this week announced it would protect clients against the British Airways/Iberia GDS surcharge by using a unique arrangement through Amadeus. It also talked about NDC, but . . .