NDC (New Distribution Capability) is an industry initiative launched and supported by IATA for the development and market adoption of a new, XML-based data transmission standard (NDC Standard). The NDC Standard enhances the capability of communications between the airlines and Trade Partners to meet the future need of Airline Retailing

There are various benefits of NDC. Firstly, for the airline, NDC standard enhances the ability of Qatar Airways to distribute its products to Trade Partners, TMC’s, OTAs, Consolidators and other 3rd Party Sellers in a modern way. For the Sellers, NDC means better booking experience and upsell opportunities.

It also provides the opportunity to improve the end-to-end airline distribution process, e.g. introducing flight details and ancillary products in a faster, richer and more dynamic way. It enables airlines to deliver enhanced customer experiences through personalised offers, rich content and dynamic pricing

In NDC, offers are generated by the airline based on the search enquiries (Shopping request flow) of the Seller. Offer means flight and seat availability with airfare that could be bundled with other products such as ancillary services

Offer becomes an order once the customer or Seller accepts the offer resulting in the creation of a unique order reference number

Yes, Qatar Airways has obtained Airline Retailing Maturity index (ARM) certification from IATA. It means that we have full Offer & Order Management capabilities.

In addition to all the booking and selling capabilities, key elements of servicing, like changes in NDC booking, are also supported. More information on different retailing capabilities available on NDC can be found at https://retailing.iata.org/armi/registry/qr/

Currently Qatar Airways is using NDC schema version 18.1 powered by Amadeus Altea NDC.

Qatar Airways is preparing to launch next NDC version 21.3 which will further enhance NDC capabilities

Qatar Airways is using Amadeus Altea NDC

No, it doesn’t, because NDC is only the standard that enables better retailing capabilities and will be connected also to GDS platforms. GDSs are building their own NDC capabilities and could connect to the Qatar Airways NDC programme via Oryx Link and serve as NDC aggregators in the future.

We have implemented NDC in the Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport GDS platforms and discussions are underway with a range of other Global Distribution Systems and aggregators

Customers increasingly expect personalised offers that contain a combination of products and services that best suit their needs.

Qatar Airways has invested in capabilities so that fares, conditions, discounts, ancillary product and service combinations can all be adjusted based on the preferences oftravellers, Sellers and stakeholders

• I.  Via BSP / ARC markets: NDC is activated in all main markets.

• II.  Via Non-BSP markets: NDC is activated in selected non-BSP markets such as Algeria, Iraq and Sudan

Qatar Airways has launched NDC programme called Oryx Connect. There are 3 different options within the programme for the Seller to connect to NDC.

• I.  Oryx Direct - A Trade Partner can connect to Qatar Airways via a direct connect API (Application Programming Interface) which will give them access to Qatar Airways offers (Flight availability, fares, ancillary products). This will require the agency partner to have dedicated IT resources for the technical integration. 

• II.  Oryx Link - This is an option to connect through various Qatar Airways approved aggregators which combine the NDC content from different airlines in their platform.  These content aggregators will offer you the opportunity to access Qatar Airways’ content without having to undertake extensive technical development or integration. Agents can now access NDC content via a range of approved aggregators including Amadeus Travel Platform,  Sabre 360 & Travelport +.  Discussions are underway with a range of other Global Distribution Systems and aggregators.

• III.  Oryx Portal –  Our new Airline Portal is now available to all our agents in BSP & Non BSP Markets which also includes the Non IATA agents

Trade Partners should either familiarize themselves through Qatar Airways Trade Portal or contact a Qatar Airways account manager to understand the different connectivity options available and agree on the selected solution.

Trade Partner can then request for their preferred NDC connection through Qatar Airways Trade Portal.

In order to get access to the full benefits and servicing capabilities of our NDC Programme, we encourage all Sellers to register via our Trade Portal and indicate their preferred connection method.

If the Seller is currently using Amadeus,Sabre, or , Travelport, they don’t need to register but we still recommend it so that they can be serviced the best possible way.

Qatar Airways is working closely with a broad range of NDC aggregators, including GDSs, and the list of approved aggregators is available in the Trade Portal at the Oryx Link section

In order to get access to the full benefits and servicing capabilities of our NDC Programme, we encourage all Sellers to register via our Trade Portal and indicate their preferred connection method.

Trade Partners once approved by Qatar Airways will need to agree on the onboarding process and possible commercials with the aggregator partner

Qatar Airways is not charging a Trade Partner to join the NDC programme. Cost may, however, be incurred depending on your choice of technology partner or platform to provide the NDC content.

You may need to contact your chosen technology partner or platform to find out more

This varies, depending on the payment & settlement method that the Trade Partner uses.

• I.     Settlement via BSP / ARC market: It is not required for an IATA appointed Trade Partner to sign a separate agreement as the Trade Partner is obliged to follow Qatar Airways policies.

• II.     Settlement via Non-BSP market: It is required for the Trade Partner to sign an NDC Seller Agreement with Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways recommends non-BSP participating Trade Partners to obtain Go-Lite accreditation in BSP markets and settle via BSP using IATA-Easy Pay solution or by payment card.

Qatar Airways now provides a solution to the Non BSP Agents as well as Non IATAs in BSP Markets, where they can sell QR Airfares and Ancillaries through the NDC Airline Portal

Qatar Airways can support trading outside of BSP via bank guarantee or cash deposit arrangements only on selected Non-BSP/ Non-ARC markets.

Depending on how the Seller connects, there are different capabilities available. The following capabilities are available on all connection types.

Features that are currently supported by Oryx Connect, Qatar Airways NDC programme, are;

• I.    Full availability of Qatar Airways published flight schedules and flight information including codeshare flights and over 100 interline connections.

• II.    Ability to sell all published Qatar Airways fares including easily identifiable Fare Families and associated product benefits such as free seating and lounge access.

• III.    Depending on the connection type, Trade Partners can access rich content including images, videos and flight information with aircraft type, available cabins and interactive seat maps.

• IV.    Ability to sell a variety of Qatar Airways private fares for authorized Sellers.

• V.    Ability to sell ancillary products such as preferred seats and baggage

• VI.    Ability to add Special Service Requests (SSR) like wheelchair, special meals etc. similar to all special service request capabilities that are currently available in the GDS.

• VII.    Oryx Connect Programme facilitates multiple payment methods.

• VIII.    Servicing capabilities vary by platform that the Trade Partner is connected. In cases where the platform cannot support the servicing, Qatar Airways Call Center can be contacted to perform the required changes

Currently all Qatar Airways marketed codeshare flights can be booked via all NDC connectivity options.

The majority of our  interline partners are also bookable via solutions connected to Altea NDC depending on platform 

Yes, up to six flight segments, including Open Jaw sectors are supported.

Preferred Seat and baggage related ancillaries are already active and more ancillaries will continuously be made available 

Please note that access to private fares will be provided only to eligible Trade Partners and can be retrieve through an account code

Existing Trade Partners who already are connected to the NDC programme through a GDS or a Non GDS Aggregators: Agent has to re-file the private fares in NDC

Trade Partners who are not connected to the NDC programme;

At the time of signing up for NDC, as part of the onboarding process, these account codes will be provided.

Please reach out to your Qatar Airways Account Manager to provide to request for more information or reach out to the NDC Team  via: qrretailingsupport@qatarairways.com.qa

We offer dynamic pricing, published and private fares, Ancillaries and bundles

In general, most of the passenger type codes are supported, however the capabilities will vary by platform

Group bookings are not part of  NDC at Industry level.

BSP/ARC markets: NDC bookings will be included in the Sales Reports provided by BSP/ARC to the Trade Partners.

Non-BSP markets: Separate reports will be raised by Airline for NDC bookings.

Depending on the platform Trade Partners connect, sales reporting capabilities might be available. 

Please refer to Qatar Airways Partner Agency Policies (QAPAP)

BSP/ARC markets: This will be part of IATA’s Risk Management process.

Non-BSP markets: please refer to the BCL FAQ 

• I. Via BSP/ARC channel: All FOPs supported by respective country’s BSP/ARC that are currently accepted by Qatar Airways i.e. BSP Cash or BSP Card. NDC is not activated in certain BSP markets due to the limitations of the technology partner.

• II. Via Non-BSP/Non-ARC channel: Only BCL (Bilateral Credit Limit) is supported. 

Yes, deferred payment option is supported.

If the journey includes another Airline sector, each carrier will apply its own Ticketing Time Limit (TTL). However, in a case where there are multiple TTLs, the most restrictive TTL/condition will apply.

The most restrictive TTL will be reflected in NDC

• I. Via BSP/ARC channel: The ticket stock will be airline stock and the control will be part of the overall BSP control via Ticketing Authority process.

• II. Via Non-BSP / Non-ARC channel:  The ticket stock will be airline stock

E-ticket and EMD number details will be provided in OrderViewRS message of NDC verb.

Currently this is not supported.

Primarily, NDC bookings should be serviced through the NDC solution that Trade Partner has selected. If this is not possible, due to the limitations of the platform, Trade Partner can use the Trade Portal to perform selected self servicing features. Available self servicing features are as follows and not limited to:

• In a case where a split is not supported by your platform, then the same can be done via the portal
• Ability to add passport details on a reservation
• Ability to add special meal requests
• Ability to add ancillary services (excess baggage /preferred seating etc.)
• Assistance with name correction /change scenarios (as per Qatar Airways’ name change policy)

For additional servicing requirements, chat function is available through Trade Portal which can be used to contact the Qatar Airways Call Center staff 24/7.

The services offered by Qatar Airways Call Center can be found via link: https://www.qatarairways.com/tradeportal/en/QR-NDC/NDC-Support.html

No, NDC bookings can only be retrieved via NDC enabled platforms. Trade Partner will not be able to retrieve a booking made through EDIFACT in an NDC channel or vice versa.

No, the cryptic entries can’t be used in NDC environment. To retrieve the booking, they will need to use the graphical User interface (GUI) provided by the platform.

Traveller can add ancillary services via Qatar Airways official website under Manage My Booking.

Trade Parners can add Ancillaries via Qatar Airways Trade Portal.

The servicing capabilities vary by aggregator platform. If this is not supported by the platform, they must either manage via Trade Portal (self-service module), or contact Trade Desk Support via Trade Portal chat tool

These elements can be edited via ‘manage my booking’ in the Qatar Airways Trade Portal.

Based on the platform that the agent is using, the date change prior to ticketing can be done within the platform itself.

The changes and the re-issuance can be done within the NDC platform itself. However, due to some error or platform limitation, if the agent is not able to perform this task, they can contact the Call Centre and have the ticket reissued 24/7.

Split can be done within the NDC platform, if the platforms support the capability.

If the platform that the agent has connected to, does not support a split , they must  manage it via the Trade Portal (self-service module), or contact Trade Desk Support via the Trade Portal chat tool .. If the PNR is split outside of NDC, the Trade Partner won’t be able to see the split PNR.

They can view the parent PNR but can’t perform further actions on the PNR.

No, name changes are currently not supported in NDC.

Qatar Airways may, however, allow name changes/corrections, based on its policies. The changes can be done via ‘manage my booking’ in the Trade Portal.

Like the traditional GDS environment, the Trade Partner and end consumer will be notified of the flight disruptions depending on the capabilities of the platform provided that the contact details are in the booking.

If the PNR is cancelled under Revenue Integrity processes (fictitious name, duplicate PNR etc) the reason for cancellation will not be communicated to the Trade Partner if there are no active segments in the PNR.

The Trade Partner will not receive a warning or cancellation message, however, the unticketed PNR will be cancelled by the Airline and when the agent tries to retrieve it, there won’t be any active segments.

For scenarios where passengers are  no-show, the Trade Partner may contact Qatar Airways Call Centre for further assistance on servicing.

Refunds shall be processed as per normal practice to the respective Form of Payment used at the time of sales and as per the applicable Fare rules and Qatar Airways Policies/Procedures

Via the NDC API:

Please check the "ATC_REFUND_ELIGIBILITY" value TRUE Or FALSE in OrderRetrieveRS or OrderReshop messages.

Via the Aggregator Platforms:

Please check the fare rules to know the eligibility for refund

Via the NDC API:

Please check the "ATC_EXCHANGE_ELIGIBILITY" value TRUE Or FALSE in OrderRetrieveRS, OrderReshop messages.

Via the Aggregator Platforms:

Please check the fares rule to know the eligibility for exchange

Yes, it is possible. The cancellation will apply for all the passengers in the booking.

1^st level of support is the Seller’s/Trade Partner’s aggregator platform provider. Qatar Airways NDC team is the 2^nd level of support if the servicing needs to be escalated by agent’s chosen aggregator.

Depending on the connectivity method, the Trade Partner shall contact either the NDC technology provider or the aggregator (Oryx Link) they are connecting through.

Alternatively Qatar Airways’ NDC team (email qrretailingsupport@qatarairways.com.qa) can be contacted.