In today’s changing travel distribution landscape, many agency decision makers ask:
Will GDS be replaced by NDC?
The truth is more nuanced. GDSs are not disappearing overnight, but the way they deliver airline content is changing.
A Global Distribution System (GDS) like Amadeus, Sabre or Travelport is the platform travel agencies have traditionally used to access fares, inventory and booking capabilities from hundreds of airlines in one place.
NDC (New Distribution Capability) is an IATA backed modern messaging standard that allows airlines to push rich content and dynamic pricing directly to sellers.
Real-time pricing & availability
Access to ancillaries (bags, seats, Wi‑Fi, lounge access)
Personalized offers for customers
Continuous Pricing vs Static Fare Ladders
Traditional GDS content based on EDIFACT uses static fare structures, often called fare buckets, where prices are set in fixed tiers. Once one fare bucket sells out, the system automatically moves to the next higher priced tier.
This creates sudden jumps and missed opportunities for better deals.
NDC introduces Continuous Pricing:
Airlines can now price dynamically, offering any price point in real time based on demand, seasonality and traveler profile.
For agencies, this means access to more competitive fares and smoother pricing options for customers.
Not exactly.
Most GDSs are working to integrate NDC alongside their existing systems. GDS still serves as a platform, but the technology behind it is evolving. This is why it’s less about “GDS vs NDC” and more about how fast your GDS (or NDC aggregator) enables NDC content.
Why Travel Agencies Should Care
Agencies that adopt NDC early gain access to exclusive fares and richer content, while late adopters risk losing competitiveness and paying higher legacy costs.
Rather than thinking of GDS as obsolete, think of NDC as the upgrade path.
Want to explore NDC connectivity? Get in touch with Skybook Global to see how our NDC partner Nuflights can help.