WestJet NDC strategy emerges with multi-year Accelya partnership

Details regarding WestJet's strategy for launching a New Distribution Capability (NDC) program emerged Monday (July 22) as Accelya, a global software provider, announced a partnership with the Calgary-based airline.

According to a press release, Accelya and WestJet have signed a multi-year FLX Platform agreement.

The FLX Platform is said to generate more than 350,000 offers per second. It’s poised to strengthen WestJet’s ability to drive personalized offers while improving the guest experience through all channels.

The agreement will power WestJet's strategy to deliver guest-centric retailing and distribution, with a focus on best-in-class servicing and flexibility enabling guests to book via the channel of their choice. 

The distribution vision

NDC, which Air Canada introduced last year, is part of an industry-wide upgrade process as airlines modernize their product distribution, offering new benefits, more content and comprehensive partner support.

"WestJet’s partnership with Accelya will allow us to deliver on our distribution vision, aligning WestJet’s value proposition across our wide range of channels. WestJet is focused on delivering an exceptional guest experience grounded on servicing standards and flexibility and the Accelya FLX Platform will be instrumental in achieving this goal. We are excited to partner with Accelya and leverage their expertise in driving real NDC adoption that translates into benefits for all of our guests and partners,” said Jorge Rozo, vice-president, pricing, revenue and distribution, at WestJet in a statement Monday.

Powered by Amazon Web Services

The Accelya FLX Platform apparently enabled more than half of all global NDC transactions in 2023, according to data from T2RL, an independent consultancy in travel technology and distribution strategy. 

The platform is powered by the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud and other technologies that deliver scalability and reliability, while enabling airlines to present millions of retail offers across all distribution channels.

Accelya's platform is also a foundation for helping airline customers with Offer and Order transformation, with NDC seen as a core building block in modernizing legacy infrastructure.

Accelya's NDC is said to link airlines with more than 70,000 travel advisors, including the world's largest online travel agents (OTAs) and travel management companies (TMCs). 

The advanced NDC capabilities are also designed to improve customer servicing, increase ancillary sales, and allow customers and airlines to benefit from more personalized offers.  

"Accelya's FLX Platform is generating more than 350,000 offers each second to power the retailing of the world’s leading airlines. We are delighted to add WestJet as a partner enabling them to take control of their distribution and retailing future. Accelya are focused on delivering an innovative and scalable modern retailing experience for airlines moving on the Offer and Order transformation journey,’ said Sam Gilliland, chief executive officer at Accelya, in a statement.

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