Accessing Modern Retailing Content (NDC) via SAP Concur Solutions: Current Status and Developments in EMEA

The SAP Concur New Distribution Capability (NDC) journey has been well underway for years. In 2019, SAP Concur announced the availability of NDC content in Concur Travel from British Airways and Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines), then added United Airlines and American Airlines NDC content in 2021. Most recently, we added Hawaiian Airlines’ intra-island fares not part of the GDS, Finnair is available in Concur Select Access, and we are evaluating other airlines that have either announced fare actions or surcharges.

At SAP Concur, we understand the need to push the industry forward and advance the decade-long ‘retailing revolution’. To date, thousands of NDC orders are created through Concur Travel each month. We have been ahead of the business travel industry in connecting to airline APIs while leveraging the best technology available.

NDC API formats may vary

It is important to note that NDC API formats may vary across airlines. While the International Air Transport Association (IATA) NDC schema defines the functionality, it does not prescribe the airline APIs themselves. This means that airlines have flexibility to write each API based on their programs and fare content. 

Aggregators like Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and Travelfusion are developing to each airline by airline, and API by API. The process is complex and requires a variety of partners to work hand in hand. SAP is working closely with the GDSs to consume the GDS NDC APIs.

While the corporate travel industry is working closely to consume the modern retailing content across the ecosystem to deliver the best customer experience possible, the downstream connections and servicing solutions may take some time to shore up.

EMEA-specific scenario: The upcoming Air France-KLM surcharge

Air France-KLM recently announced they will apply a 17€ per way surcharge to all GDS bookings. Originally planned for May 2022, then delayed to October and March, this change is now planned to become effective end of December 2023. Full content - free of this extra charge - will only be available via Air France-KLM’s NDC API or direct channels.

Further developments like removing lowest-priced economy Light fares in short- and mid-haul markets from traditionally connected Global Distribution Systems are expected to take place earlier – in June expectedly. 

The good news is that our customers are protected.  To provide them with NDC content – independent of the status of the API developed by Air France-KLM and our TMC partners - we are currently building a connection to Air France-KLM’s NDC API through Concur Select Access powered by Travelfusion, a non-GDS aggregator. With this option, we are aiming to support customers who are keen to find a strategy to handle upcoming surcharge.

Customers will be able to shop, book, select paid or unpaid seats, and pay by credit card - all in Concur Travel with the standard user interface and full support for travel policies. Furthermore, Concur’s API connection has been enhanced recently to allow TMC (as opposed to airline) ticketing and ARC/BSP settlement. TMC ticketing is more attractive to TMCs, and several are moving to connect that way.

Another way for our customers to benefit from a comprehensive choice of Air France-KLM content is the use of TripIt. Travelers can book their preferred fares via the Air France or KLM website and simply forward their travel itinerary to TripIt via email. This way, the booking will automatically be added to Concur Travel providing full visibility. 

What is TravelFusion?

Travelfusion is one of several non-GDS content sources that SAP Concur makes available to customers via our Select Access program. Travelfusion is a registered UK-based company that has partnered with SAP Concur since 2005 to bring content into Concur Travel from suppliers who do not participate in the GDS, or who have limited content in the GDS.

Travelfusion complies with all PCI Security and Data Protection provisions both in the UK and under EU legislation. These fundamental rules are fully incorporated into all Travelfusion customer license agreements and ensure that no personal nor any sensitive or confidential information is shared outside the UK/EU. Travelfusion’s datacenters are all located in the UK and the company has in place processes ensuring that only UK-based staff have access to the datacenters. These policies and processes are independently audited by multiple accredited auditing firms, including Deloitte, on an annual basis, which is done in compliance with GDPR and PCI requirements.

What to do if other airlines limit fare accessibility

It is important to note that SAP Concur has been tracking GDS progress in connecting to airlines’ NDC APIs directly and some do not yet include important tools business travelers and travel managers rely on. For example, it appears that key servicing functionality like exchanges may not be included in the initial version.

SAP Concur understands the importance of connecting to an airline’s APIs via the GDS. We are active participants in GDS NDC testing. Participation in this analysis is a key element in the evolution of Concur Travel, where merchandising and retailing concepts will come to life with GDS NDC APIs.

How should customers handle possible content gaps?

1. Companies need information to evaluate the likely impact disappearing content will have on their programs. Depending on exactly what goes missing, it may not be critical to wait for GDS/NDC technology.  
2. If a customer needs that content, however, they should discuss Concur Select Access with their TMC and with SAP Concur. Concur Travel has been creating thousands of NDC orders each month for years and is one of the biggest NDC enablers in corporate travel.
3. Another, interim solution may be to deploy Concur TripLink  and have travelers use that to shop at the airline’s owned website. While it will require some traveler education, no discounts or other content will be missed. 

Concur Travel has been ahead of the airline distribution curve for years and offers solutions to customers now. We continue to make significant investments to develop the travel platform of the future across our entire ecosystem and innovate to connect with new content channels today while planning for the inevitable changes of tomorrow.