Feature of the Month
Navitaire's API/Web Services the Guts behind Customers' Distribution Glory
For years Navitaire customers have led they way in distribution advances by working with GDS partners to leverage API/Web Services. Forward-thinking Navitaire airline customers first convinced GDS companies such as Amadeus and Galileo to build XML connectivity to gain access to their own low-cost flight inventory within Navitaire and to attain increased control of GDS sales - on the airlines' terms.
There are several advantages to establishing XML connectivity between carriers and GDS companies. Carriers can avoid the cost and complexity of EDIFACT Type A message support, yet improve upon the non-interactive request and response nature of Type B GDS processing. And by using API/Web Services, carriers can realize the benefit of interactive messaging without the typically higher costs associated with GDS EDIFACT/Type A support.
But even more, XML connectivity using API/Web Services allows carriers the opportunity to use New Skies capabilities to collect additional service and fee revenue. Carriers can allow GDS access to the New Skies real-time interactive processing to sell unbundled, incremental services to customers during the booking transaction - similar to purchasing items at a cash register. The GDSs' firm ties to legacy technology have largely precluded them from being able to support this important goal of low-cost and traditional airlines alike. Their recent ability to use some of these advanced methods offers Navitaire customers an opportunity to further dictate GDS sales capabilities that support the carrier's business objectives.
AirTran Airways is the latest carrier to use Navitaire's API/Web Services technology to draw its GDS partners into the new era of advanced technology options for low-cost, high-value connectivity. AirTran, through its strong market position and technological leadership, motivated Sabre to adopt new protocols and Navitairešs New Skies API/ Web Services was instrumental in making this process possible.
Working together, AirTran, Navitaire, and Sabre supplanted some traditional GDS Type B processing with New Skies API/Web Services for distribution and travel information. The first phase of this solution provides Sabre agents with real-time access to flight information and seat maps for AirTran. This is an important first step for Sabre as it seeks to move toward technology options that are compatible with the flexible, next-generation technology in use by Navitaire customers.
New Skies offers a broad spectrum of API/Web Services. The booking suite combines real-time availability with key selling functions, fares and pricing, seat selections, and booking updates. The AirTran and Navitaire project team members expect Sabre to introduce use of these more advanced functions in the coming months.
AirTran is one of several Navitaire customers to influence tradition-bound distributors like GDS companies to adopt and embrace new business practices. We were very pleased to partner with AirTran on this strategic distribution project, and we encourage airlines around to globe to consider whether API/Web Services connectivity is the right fit for their distribution objectives.
To learn more about Navitaire's New Skies reservation system and its extensive distribution suite including API/Web Services, please contact us.